Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology (Shier), 12th Edition

Chapter 4: Cellular Metabolism

Protein Synthesis 3

How is protein synthesis similar to the catalysis of a reaction by an enzyme? Protein synthesis is a series of chemical reactions in which molecules are brought into contact with one another and chemical bonds are formed and broken. The key event in protein synthesis is the formation of bonds between adjacent amino acids in the protein and the breaking of bonds between the same amino acids and the tRNA molecules that first bring the amino acids to the ribosomes. The function of the ribosome is to bind the tRNA molecules and then move through the ribosome. As the tRNAs are moved, the ribosome’s configuration brings the amino acids into contact and then severs the bonds between tRNA and amino acid. In a general sense, RNA is acting as an enzyme that catalyzes the reactions that form the amino acid chain.

View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.



1.

New amino acids (other than the initial f-Met) enter at which site?
A)E
B)P
C)A
D)Any of the above
2.

At the E site
A)transfer RNA is released
B)anticodons match with codons
C)peptide bonds are formed between amino acids
D)transcription occurs
3.

After the ribosome moves to the next codon on the mRNA, the growing peptide chain is found in which position(s)?
A)A
B)P
C)E
D)A, P and E
4.

The codon on tRNA matches up with the complementary anticodon on mRNA.
A)True
B)False
5.

A stop codon codes for an amino acid as well as the signal to stop.
A)True
B)False
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