What is translation in genetics?

Translation in genetics refers to the specific process whereby the sequence of nucleotides in messenger RNA (mRNA) is converted into an amino acid sequence, resulting in the synthesis of proteins. During translation, ribosomes read the mRNA in sets of three nucleotides, called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules then bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, where they are linked together in the order specified by the mRNA transcript, ultimately forming a polypeptide chain that folds into a functional protein.

Understanding translation is crucial, as it is a key step in the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, which is fundamental to the functioning of all living organisms.