Amino Acid Activation & tRNA Charging — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2020The first phase of translation is: (NEET 2020)
The first phase of translation is: (NEET 2020)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — Aminoacylation of tRNA
Aminoacylation of tRNA is the first phase of translation. This process involves attaching the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA molecule by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes. This must happen before translation begins, as charged tRNAs are required for protein synthesis. The other options occur during translation itself - mRNA binding to ribosome, anticodon recognition, etc. Aminoacylation is the preparatory step that precedes actual translation.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Translation refers to the process of polymerisation of amino acids to form a polypeptide. The order and sequence of amino acids are defined by the sequence of bases in the mRNA. The amino acids are joined by a bond which is known as a peptide bond. Formation of a peptide bond requires energy. Therefore, in the first phase itself amino acids are activated in the presence of ATP and linked to their cognate tRNA– a process commonly called as charging of tRNA or aminoacylation of tRNA to be more specific. If two such charged tRNAs are brought close enough, the formation of peptide bond between them
NTA tests whether students understand that translation has distinct phases, with the first phase being amino acid activation (aminoacylation of tRNA), not the actual peptide bond formation. This process requires ATP energy to attach each amino acid to its specific tRNA molecule. The common mistake is confusing the activation phase with elongation phase or thinking peptide bonds form without prior activation. Remember: activation always comes first and requires ATP; only after tRNAs are charged can they deliver amino acids to the ribosome for peptide bond formation. This distinction between energy-requiring activation and the actual polymerization is crucial for understanding translation mechanics.
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