Fig. 5F: Translation of mRNA by tRNA, Step 6.

Codon Sheet (Fig. 2)

This process continues until the ribosome encounter a "stop" codon. A stop codon is a series of three mRNA bases coding for no amino acid and thus terminates the protein chain. UAA, UAG, UGA are the three stop codons in the genetic code. Stop codons do not code for an amino acid because a tRNA cannot recognize them. Proteins called release factors free the protein from the tRNA and the two ribosomal subunits come apart to be recycled. During this elongation process, the protein has assumed its three-dimensional functional shape.


Illustration of Translation of mRNA by tRNA, Step 6 .jpg by Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://cwoer.ccbcmd.edu/science/microbiology/index_gos.html.

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Last updated: Feb., 2021
Please send comments and inquiries to Dr. Gary Kaiser