Steps of Translation

Steps of Translation

Explanation

Before understanding the three levels of translation, it is critical to define the process of conversion. Translation involves a process that determines whether proteins are synthesized or blocked. In the process of translation, cells receive and interpret information from messenger RNA. The information is then used to produce proteins. In other words, translation is the process of decoding data from messenger RNA to utilize in the formulation of proteins or polypeptides. Polypeptide as a form of protein consists of a chain of amino acids and as such, large proteins are in most cases comprised of multiple strings of polypeptides.

Also, translation is described as process of decoding the genetic code within the mRNA in a bid to produce a series of amino acids within a polypeptide chain. This biological process occurs within the cytoplasm of the cell. It is also noteworthy that translation occurs after transcription has transpired. Additionally, the protein building procedure is experienced in both unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms. With this being said, translation entails beginning, middle and end stages.

The three steps of translation resulting in the synthesis of protein include; initiation, elongation and termination. Introduction marks the beginning of the translation process. During introduction, the ribosomes come into contact with mRNA as well as tRNAs. The connection is made so that this procedure can commence and also pave the way for the second stage. In the second phase, elongation, amino acids are transferred to the ribosomes by tRNAs. The linkage results in the formation of the amino acid chain. Notably, this chain is in the form of the polypeptide. The final stage is the termination or end phase. At this juncture, the polypeptide is released to fulfil its purpose or function.

General Usage

The primary usage of the three steps is to produce proteins in the human body. For a protein to be synthesized within a cell, the three steps aforementioned must occur. Proteins are needed for several body functions and maintenance of health, thereby making these stages all the more critical. In this light, the three steps of translation not only are pivotal in offering an in-depth understanding of polypeptide formulation but also in dictating the general functionality of the human body.

In sing-celled organisms and specifically bacteria, the stages have proven essential in explaining the functionality of bacterial cells. The comprehension of protein formulation in such cells has been groundbreaking with the advent of antibiotics to kill bacteria that cause infection. On this note, the stages provided a means for understanding how infectious conditions can be mitigated. Therefore, the three phases have indirectly been influential in spearheading the development of new medications.

The three stages of translation are also essential in molecular biology and genetics studies. Biological studies often rely on these three steps to explain how proteins are synthesized with a cell. With a comprehensive knowledge of gene expression, three stages of translation become crucial in explaining the correlation or linkages of genes within cells. Similarly, the translation processes help in distinguishing active proteins from polypeptide strings. Also, since translation is connected to transcription, the three phases offer a prerequisite understanding of protein production within biological cells. Hence, in molecular biology and genetic studies, the three steps of translation provide essential insights in understanding multiple related concepts.

Biology

The messenger RNA or mRNA is composed of a unique genetic code. The code entails the instructions that are used in the formulation of the polypeptide. The transfer of the guidelines is further conducted utilizing codons, which are groups of three distinct nucleotides. Mainly, they are three different codons of amino acids, including three-stop codons and the one codon string. These codons include; UGA, UAG and UAA, all of which are configured to provide a stop or halt signal. The second type of codon marks the final stage of formulating polypeptide, while the third type signals the start of the translation process. These features of the genetic code are notably crucial in explaining the three steps of translation.

Three critical aspects are required in the initiation phase of translation, including; ribosome, mRNA and tRNAs. The mRNA is the messenger and as such, carries the information about protein synthesis. The tRNAs, on the other hand, are considered as the initiators since they harbour amino acids within the protein. The initiation stage, therefore, involves these three aspects coming together to form the initiation complex. Initiation complex is also referred to as the molecular setup tasked with protein building.

In the middle stage commonly known as elongation, the polypeptide formulated gets elongated. From the initiation complex, the second stage is kick-started by tRNAs settling in the middle of ribosome and mRNA to form the P site. Adjacent to the P site is the A site where a new codon is exposed to another initiation complex. Several A locations further yield other P sites, thereby resulting in the formation of a peptide bond as these sites interlink with each other. Alternatively, amino acids are transferred within these chains in the process, forming a chain or string of small polypeptide.

The final stage, termination, is marked when a stop codon from mRNA enters the A site. Proteins called release factors usually recognize the stop codons. The release factors further distort enzymes that form polypeptide bonds by adding water to the amino acid. A reaction is generated where the chain disintegrates from the tRNAs. This reaction thus results in the formation of a new protein.