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D1.2.10—Elongation of polypeptide

Polypeptide elongation adds amino acids sequentially as ribosomes translocate along mRNA, while polysomes translate one transcript simultaneously in active cells.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
D1.2.10
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks2

Common command terms

  • Explain

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Describing several ribosomes on one mRNA as several genes rather than one transcript being translated many times.

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ12(c)[ 2 ]D1.2.10—Elongation of polypeptide
Practice this objective

Coverage 2025–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Elongation lengthens a polypeptide one amino acid at a time.
  • Ribosomes translocate along mRNA as translation proceeds.
  • A polysome consists of many ribosomes on one mRNA molecule.
  • Farther-moving ribosomes usually carry longer growing polypeptides.
ConceptIB Biology SL