Translation

Once the genetic information in DNA has been transcribed onto RNA, the RNA must be used to direct the synthesis of a specific protein. The process of reading the RNA and converting it into the sequence for a protein is called translation. Figure 4.22 shows the basic principles of translation.

The RNA transcribed with the information from DNA is called messenger RNA (mRNA). The sequence of bases in the mRNA is read on protein/RNA complexes called ribosomes using another type of RNA called transfer RNA (tRNA).

The mRNA sequence is read in single units of three nucleotides, called a codon.

See also: Transcription, Translation Overview (from Chapter 27), Nucleotides, Proteins

INTERNET LINKS:

> 1. DNA and Protein Pages

> 2. Translation Movie