amino acid is bonded to a t-RNA molecule, ATP supplies the energy. When an amino acid is bonded to another amino acid by a peptide bond, the ATP supplies the energy. The final component of the translation process is the ribosome. Ribosomes are a cellular organelle that causes the t-RNA, the m-RNA, and the amino acid sequence to come together and form a polypeptide chain. Ribosomes are composed of two unequal sub-units. Each sub-unit contains ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein. Ribosomes are attached to the m-RNA, read the codons, make sure that the proper t-RNA is in place and then bonds the amino acids together by peptide bonds. There are three m-RNA codons that cause translation termination. There are not any t-RNA's that correspond to these codons. Instead, proteins recognize them as release factors. These release factors cause the release of the polypeptide chain from its t-RNA and the ribosome. Then the polypeptide chain "folds" back up into its original structure. With the release of the chain, the ribosome leaves the m-RNA. The ribosomal sub-units are then ready to repeat the process for another m-RNA. Mutations can occur in either body cells or reproductive (germinal) cells. Only diseases of germinal cells can be passed through generations. Mutations can alter a single gene point or can effect and change the structure of many chromosomes. Mutations are not always bad because they can cause adaptation and variation in people.The most common type of mutation involves a change in only a single base pair. This change only effects a single codon of the gene. There are three types of base pair mutations: silent, missense, and chain termination. Silent mutations involve the repositioning of the third codon. This does not effect the amino acid sequence. Missense mutation is where one codon is altered to code for a different amino acid (sickle cell anemia). Chain termination mutations involve the codon being chang...
