Describe the process of translation in bacteria.

1. 1 · Define translation. The joining of amino acids into a polypeptide, in the order set by the codons of mRNA.
2. 2 · Charge the tRNA. Each amino acid is activated by ATP and linked to its own tRNA (aminoacylation).
3. 3 · Initiation. The ribosome binds mRNA at AUG, recognised only by the initiator tRNA; the large subunit joins.
4. 4 · Elongation. Charged tRNAs pair anticodon to codon; peptide bonds form (23S rRNA as ribozyme); the ribosome moves codon by codon.
5. 5 · Termination. A release factor binds the stop codon; the polypeptide is released and the subunits separate.
6. 6 · Draw the ribosome. [Diagram: mRNA 5′ to 3′, small and large subunits, two tRNAs with anticodons, growing polypeptide]
7. 7 · Link to real life. Antibiotics like streptomycin block bacterial ribosomes, which is how they kill germs.
8. 8 · Close in one line. So translation turns the base sequence of mRNA into the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Scoring tip: Mention UTRs and the 23S rRNA ribozyme; these extras often decide full marks.