An illustration showing translation or protein synthesis in four process marked with the following text: Messenger RNA: Messenger RNA is transcribed in the nucleus and then enters the cytoplasm.

1. Translation RNA: Translation begins at AUG which is a start codon. Each transfer RNA has an anticodon whose bases are complementary to the bases of a codon on the mRNA strand. The ribosome positions the start codon to attract its anticodon, which is part of the tRNA that binds methionine. The ribosome also binds the next codon and its anticodon.
2. The Polypeptide “Assembly Line”: The ribosome joins the two amino acids—methionine and phenylalanine—and breaks the bond between methionine and its tRNA. The tRNA floats away from the ribosome, allowing the ribosome to bind another tRNA. The ribosome moves along the mRNA, from right to left, binding new tRNA molecules and amino acids.
3. Completing the Polypeptide: The process continues until the ribosome reaches one of the three stop codons. Once the polypeptide is complete, it and the mRNA are released from the ribosome.