24-5 Translation of RNA:Protein Biosynthesis Primary cellular function of mRNA Direct biosynthesis of the thousands of diverse peptides and proteins required by an organism -The mechanics of protein biosynthesis take place on ribosomes, small granular particles in the cytoplasm of a cell that consist of about 60%ribosomal RNA and 40%protein The specific ribonucleotide sequence in mRNA forms a codon that determines the order in which amino acid residues are joined Each codon consists of a sequence of three ribonucleotides that is specific for a given amino acid The series UUC on mRNA is a codon directing incorporation of the amino acid phenylalanine into the growing protein 64 possible triplets of the four bases in RNA 61 code for specific amino acids 3 code for chain termination Primary cellular function of mRNA ▪ Direct biosynthesis of the thousands of diverse peptides and proteins required by an organism ▪ The mechanics of protein biosynthesis take place on ribosomes, small granular particles in the cytoplasm of a cell that consist of about 60% ribosomal RNA and 40% protein ▪ The specific ribonucleotide sequence in mRNA forms a codon that determines the order in which amino acid residues are joined ▪ Each codon consists of a sequence of three ribonucleotides that is specific for a given amino acid ▪ The series UUC on mRNA is a codon directing incorporation of the amino acid phenylalanine into the growing protein ▪ 64 possible triplets of the four bases in RNA ▪ 61 code for specific amino acids ▪ 3 code for chain termination 24-5 Translation of RNA: Protein Biosynthesis