The sequence of nucleotide bases in an mRNA molecule is a set of instructions that gives the order in which amino acids should be joined to produce a polypeptide. Once the polypeptide is complete, it then folds into its final shape or joins with other polypeptides to become a functional protein.

Translation uses another type of RNA known as tRNA. Each tRNA molecule carries just one kind of amino acid. In addition, each tRNA molecule has three unpaired bases, called the anticodon. Each anticodon is complementary to one mRNA codon.

Video segment. Assistance may be required. Watch the following animation to learn what happens during translation.

Answer the following questions about translation.

  1. Translation is the process that makes  ____________________ .
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  2. Translation occurs in the ______________.
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  3. Each tRNA carries an amino acid at one end and an _______________ at the other.
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  4. Use the amino acid chart and determine what amino acid is coded for when the mRNA codon is CAU.
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