Translation: First Look

The following images attempt to illustrate the process of translation, or protein synthesis, and emphasize some of its most important steps. Clicking on each of the thumbnail images will bring up a larger, labeled version of the described scene.

To see the Flash movie for the following sequence of images, click here.

	The codons found within the mRNA.
	The small subunit of the ribosome attached to the mRNA.
	A tRNA molecule.
	The tRNA anti-codon is complementary to the mRNA codon.
	The amino acid known as methionine.
	The first tRNA molecule attaches to the first site of translation.
	The second tRNA molecule attaches to the second site of translation.
	The amino acid from the first tRNA is transferred to the amino acid on the second tRNA.
	The first tRNA exits, the ribosome moves, a new tRNA enters, and the process is repeated.
	The process is repeated many times, and a peptide, or strand of amino acids, is formed.
	The release factor enters.
	Translation, or protein synthesis, ends.
	The completed peptide is released.