translation
Definition
Translation is the process by which the sequence of nucleotides in messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded to produce a specific sequence of amino acids, forming a polypeptide chain that folds into a protein. This critical step occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Analogy
Imagine translation as a chef following a recipe to create a dish. The mRNA is like the recipe card, providing the instructions (nucleotide sequence) for which ingredients (amino acids) to add and in what order. The ribosome functions as the kitchen counter where all ingredients are assembled into the final dish (protein).
Related terms
Messenger RNA (mRNA): A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm, serving as a template for protein synthesis.
Ribosome: A cellular structure that functions as the site of protein synthesis, reading mRNA sequences and assembling amino acids into polypeptide chains.
Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins, consisting of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and an R group that varies among different amino acids
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