Translation

when one translates they convert the meaning of one language into another. The same occurs in your cells when you produce proteins needed for the function of the cell. The language of mRNA must be converted into the language of amino acids. The language of mRNA involves four letters A,C, U, and G. The language of proteins involves twenty amino acids. In order to convert his language you need to have a three letter code of mRNA nucleotides for each amino acid. These are pictures of the process of translation acted out by my wonderful juniors. I find it amazing how you can convince them to stick things on their forhead and look a little silly instead of taking notes and/or listening to a lecture given by Mrs. Slade.

Each student represented a tRNA molecule. This is the molecule responsible for the actual translation process. On the board the the three sites of the ribosome (A,P, and E) . The long strand of tape with letters on it represent the mRNA molecule. This was made from a code in DNA called a gene. Each gene codes for a single polypeptide chain. Well enough said...Enjoy the pictures.