Biology / Unit 6 Bio 1289 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Translation Initiation
Captions available
The idea
Translation initiation assembles the small ribosomal subunit, an initiator tRNA carrying methionine, and the mRNA's start codon, before the large subunit joins.
In practice
In eukaryotes, the small subunit scans the mRNA from its 5' end until the initiator tRNA pairs with the AUG start codon.
Where people slip
Initiation ends once both subunits assemble at the start codon — no amino acid bond has yet formed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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