SL Content Statements

• D1.2.5

  Translation as the synthesis of polypeptides from mRNA

• 
  

  The base sequence of mRNA is translated into the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide.

• D1.2.6

  Roles of mRNA, ribosomes and tRNA in translation

• 
  

  Students should know that mRNA binds to the small subunit of the ribosome and that two tRNAs can bind simultaneously to the large subunit.

• D1.2.7

  Complementary base pairing between tRNA and mRNA

• 
  

  Include the terms “codon” and “anticodon”.

• D1.2.8

  Features of the genetic code

• 
  

  Students should understand the reasons for a triplet code. Students should use and understand the terms “degeneracy” and “universality”.
  

• D1.2.9

  Using the genetic code expressed as a table of mRNA codons

• 
  

  Students should be able to deduce the sequence of amino acids coded by an mRNA strand.
  

• D1.2.10

  Stepwise movement of the ribosome along mRNA and linkage of amino acids by peptide bonding to the growing polypeptide chain

• 
  

  Focus on elongation of the polypeptide, rather than on initiation and termination.
  

• D1.2.11

  Mutations that change protein structure

• 
  

  Include an example of a point mutation affecting protein structure.