Explain the process of translation in protein synthesis.

Translation in protein synthesis is the process where ribosomes decode messenger RNA (mRNA) into a protein.

In more detail, translation is the second step of protein synthesis, following transcription. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell, specifically on the ribosomes. The process begins with the binding of a ribosome to an mRNA molecule. The ribosome is the site where the translation of the genetic code, carried by the mRNA, into a polypeptide chain (protein) occurs.

The mRNA molecule is read in triplets, known as codons, each of which codes for a specific amino acid. The ribosome moves along the mRNA, reading one codon at a time. As each codon is read, a molecule of transfer RNA (tRNA) that carries the corresponding amino acid binds to the codon. Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon region that is complementary to the mRNA codon it binds to. This ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain.

The ribosome facilitates the formation of a peptide bond between the new amino acid and the growing chain. Once this bond is formed, the tRNA that carried the previous amino acid detaches and leaves the ribosome, allowing the next tRNA and its amino acid to bind. This process continues until a stop codon is reached on the mRNA. Stop codons do not code for an amino acid but signal the end of protein synthesis.

The newly formed polypeptide chain then undergoes various modifications before it becomes a fully functional protein. These modifications may include folding into a specific three-dimensional shape, the addition of other molecules, or being combined with other polypeptide chains.

In summary, translation is a complex process that involves the decoding of mRNA by ribosomes to produce proteins. It is a crucial part of protein synthesis, allowing the genetic information in DNA to be expressed as proteins, which carry out a vast array of functions within the cell.