SCIENCE OUTREACH
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Transcription and Translation
Cells produce mRNA by transcribing DNA. How does it work? translation (oversimplifies the process of initiation in order to focus on the role of tRNAs in elongation)
The process of translating mRNA to produce protein involves tRNAs and amino acids. This animation is designed to illustrate this process. translation with more accuracy (includes initiation and assembly of ribosomal subunits, so it has more details)
Translation begins in a complex manner involving the small subunit of the ribosome and met-tRNA. Here, we add this to the translation animation to provide an image of the whole process. Humans cannot produce several amino acids, and must acquire them from food. But, some foods (grains) are a poor source of some essential amino acids (e.g. lysine). Why does it matter? Work through this to find out.
last updated: Aug. 11, 2010
