What is the process called when the mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced?

• A. Translation
• B. Transcription
• C. Replication
• D. Translocation

Answer: (A)

Translation is the process by which the information carried by mRNA is used to assemble a protein. The ribosome reads the mRNA three nucleotides at a time, with each codon specifying a particular amino acid. tRNA molecules bring the matching amino acids to the ribosome, using their anticodons to pair with the codons on the mRNA. As amino acids are added, peptide bonds form, building the polypeptide chain in the exact sequence encoded by the mRNA. The process continues until a stop codon is reached, at which point the completed protein is released. This step is distinct from transcription, where DNA is used to make RNA, and replication, which duplicates DNA. Translocation refers to the ribosome’s movement along the mRNA during translation, not the entire decoding-to-protein process.