D1.2.6—Roles in translation
mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes have distinct roles that coordinate codon reading, amino acid delivery and peptide bond formation during translation.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D1.2.6
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2022
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Identify
- Outline
- Explain
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Swapping the roles of codons and anticodons between mRNA and tRNA.
Recent exam appearances
May 2022Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ14(c)[ 2 ]D1.2.6—Roles in translation
May 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ127[ 1 ]D1.2.6—Roles in translation
November 2020Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ028[ 1 ]D1.2.6—Roles in translation
May 2017Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ12(b)[ 2 ]D1.2.6—Roles in translation
November 2016Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ026[ 1 ]D1.2.6—Roles in translation
Practice this objective
Coverage 2016–2022 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- mRNA supplies codons that are read by the ribosome.
- tRNA carries a specific amino acid and has a complementary anticodon.
- tRNA-activating enzymes attach amino acids to the correct tRNA molecules.
- Ribosomes hold mRNA and tRNA together so peptide bonds can form.