Question

Which statement regarding translation is out of order first?

Options

• Ribosomal subunits bind to mRNA.

• Ribosome comes to a stop codon on the mRNA.

• As a tRNA leaves the ribosome, it passes its amino acid to the growing polypeptide.

• The messenger RNA codon binds to the tRNA anticodon.

Answer 1

Ribosome comes to a stop codon on the mRNA.

Explanation:

Because in the sequence provided, it is the event that happens last, making it “out of order” when listed before the middle steps of elongation. In a logical timeline, the ribosome first binds to the mRNA, then the tRNA anticodon matches with the mRNA codon, and during this process, amino acids are added to the chain. The arrival at a stop codon only occurs at the very end of the process to terminate protein synthesis.