D1.2.5—Translation
Translation decodes mRNA at ribosomes so codons specify the amino acid order of a growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D1.2.5
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2024
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks4–8
Common command terms
- Outline
- Explain
- Describe
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Naming RNA polymerase as the enzyme for translation instead of locating translation at ribosomes.
Recent exam appearances
November 2024Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ07(a)[ 4 ]D1.2.5—Translation
November 2020Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ06(c)[ 8 ]D1.2.5—Translation
November 2014Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ05(b)[ 8 ]D1.2.5—Translation
Practice this objective
Coverage 2014–2024 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Translation occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm or on rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- mRNA codons determine the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide.
- tRNA anticodons pair with codons while tRNA carries specific amino acids.
- Peptide bonds join amino acids as the ribosome moves along mRNA.