After translation termination, what happens to the ribosome and polypeptide?

• A. The polypeptide is released and the ribosome dissociates into subunits.
• B. The polypeptide remains bound to tRNA and translation continues.
• C. The ribosome translocates to the nucleus with the peptide.
• D. The mRNA is immediately degraded and translation stops permanently.

Answer: (A)

During termination, a stop codon in the mRNA is recognized by release factors, which trigger the release of the polypeptide from the tRNA in the P site. The ribosome then dissociates into its two subunits and the mRNA is released, so the components can be recycled for further rounds of translation. The newly made polypeptide typically folds into its functional form with help from chaperones and proceeds to its cellular role. This outcome contrasts with the idea that translation would continue, that the ribosome would move to the nucleus, or that the mRNA would be degraded immediately; termination ends protein synthesis and primes the machinery for reuse rather than causing permanent shutdown.