Which codons signal to ribosomes to stop translation?

Study for the DNA Structure, Replication, Transcription and Translation Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly and excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which codons signal to ribosomes to stop translation?

Explanation:
Stop signals are what tell the ribosome to end translation. In messenger RNA, three triplets—UAA, UAG, and UGA—do not code for any amino acid. When one of these stop codons sits in the ribosome’s decoding site, release factors bind in place of a tRNA, and they trigger hydrolysis that releases the finished polypeptide and causes the ribosome to disassemble. This is distinct from the start signal, which is AUG and initiates translation by recruiting the initiator tRNA and assembling the ribosome. The codon table is just a reference that maps codons to amino acids, not a signal for stopping. An anticodon is the tRNA’s complementary sequence that pairs with codons during elongation, not a stop signal.

Stop signals are what tell the ribosome to end translation. In messenger RNA, three triplets—UAA, UAG, and UGA—do not code for any amino acid. When one of these stop codons sits in the ribosome’s decoding site, release factors bind in place of a tRNA, and they trigger hydrolysis that releases the finished polypeptide and causes the ribosome to disassemble. This is distinct from the start signal, which is AUG and initiates translation by recruiting the initiator tRNA and assembling the ribosome. The codon table is just a reference that maps codons to amino acids, not a signal for stopping. An anticodon is the tRNA’s complementary sequence that pairs with codons during elongation, not a stop signal.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy