iGen 06-19

Polysome organization & elongation of polypeptide chain

Multiple ribosomes may attach to a single mRNA, and translate the message as the move along it in the usual 5'3' direction. Thus the 3' end of the mRNA carries the ribosomes that have been attached the longest, with the longest polypeptides, and the 5' ends carries the newly-attached ribosomes with the shortest.


Figure © 2010 PJ Russell, iGenetics 3rd ed.; all text material © 2024 by Steven M. Carr