Question

(a) Explain the process by which amino acid gets attached to the tRNA molecule during translation process.
(b) How does the translation process get terminated?
(c) Expand ‘UTR’. Where are they located?

Hint:

(a) Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase ensures that each tRNA molecule is charged with the correct amino acid before protein synthesis begins.
(b) The presence of a stop codon signals the end of translation, leading to the release of the polypeptide and termination of protein synthesis.
(c) The UTRs play a role in regulating translation efficiency and mRNA stability, but they are not translated into proteins.

Answer 1

(a) Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase attaches the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA molecule, a process essential for protein synthesis and requiring ATP.
(b) Translation ends when a stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) in the mRNA is recognized. Release factors interact with the stop codon, prompting the ribosome to detach the completed polypeptide and the mRNA.
(c) UTR (Untranslated Region) refers to mRNA segments that are transcribed but not translated into protein. These include the 5' UTR, preceding the start codon, and the 3' UTR, following the stop codon.