What is the process called when mRNA is decoded to produce a sequence of amino acids for protein synthesis?

The process referred to in this question is translation. During translation, the messenger RNA (mRNA) that has been synthesized during transcription is decoded by ribosomes in the cytoplasm. This decoding process involves reading the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA, which is organized into codons, each consisting of three nucleotides. Each specific codon corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, where they are aligned according to the sequence of codons on the mRNA. The ribosome facilitates the bonding of these amino acids to form a polypeptide chain, which subsequently folds into a functional protein. This entire mechanism is essential for expressing genes and creating the proteins that are critical for the structure and function of living organisms.

Transcription, on the other hand, is the initial step where DNA is copied to produce mRNA. Replication involves the duplication of DNA prior to cell division, ensuring that each new cell has an identical set of DNA. Translocation refers to the movement of genes within or between chromosomes and plays a role in genetic variation and some forms of cancer, but it is not involved in the direct synthesis of proteins