. T RANSLATION Translation refers to the process of polymerisation of amino acids to form a polypeptide (Figure . ). The order and sequence of amino acids are defined by the sequence of bases in the mRNA.
The amino acids are joined by a bond which is known as a peptide bond. Formation of a peptide bond requires energy. Therefore, in the first phase itself amino acids are activated in the presence of ATP and linked to their cognate tRNA – a process commonly called as charging of tRNA or aminoacylation of tRNA to be more specific. If two such charged tRNAs are brought close enough, the formation of peptide bond between them Figure .
tRNA - the adapter molecule