Translation Models

Today I had you guys use pre-made mRNA strands to go through translation.  You "read" the mRNA in sets of 3 base pairs (codons) that each code for an amino acid.  When you then added the amino acid you were acting as the tRNA that is found in the cells cytoplasm.  Translation started at the AUG - Codon (which codes for the amino acid Methionine) and continued until you reached a Stop codon.  There were no daily questions today so that we could get right into the activity.  Here are some pics!

Adding Amino Acids using the Codon Chart

Reading the mRNA sequence three bases at a time (codons)

The Amino acids will be bonded together by peptide bonds creating a "polypeptide chain" of amino acids

This shows how the amino acid is "transfered" to the mRNA molecule by a tRNA molecule (represented by the green paper) with the complementary "anti codon"  once the Amino acids is "dropped off" the tRNA will then leave and pick up another amino acids.