Lesson 3.4.2.2

3.4.2.2 Translation and the genetic code Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 3.4.2.2, Translation and the genetic code: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. Where does translation take place?

    • In the mitochondrial matrix, where the DNA is read directly by RNA polymerase.
    • On ribosomes, in the cytoplasm or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
    • In the nucleus, on the surface of the chromosomes during interphase.
    • In the Golgi apparatus, where the polypeptide is packaged into vesicles.

  2. What is the role of ATP in translation?

    • It joins the bases of the mRNA together to form the codons on the mRNA strand.
    • It removes introns from the pre-mRNA before the mRNA leaves the nucleus.
    • It carries the amino acid to the ribosome, where the anticodon pairs with the codon.
    • It provides the energy needed to join amino acids together and to move the ribosome along the mRNA.

  3. Which molecules are needed to carry out translation?

    • DNA, RNA polymerase, histones and introns.
    • mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes and ATP.
    • Pre-mRNA, plasmids, cellulose and glycogen.
    • DNA polymerase, lysozymes, micelles and bile salts.

  4. What is a codon?

    • A sequence of three amino acids in a polypeptide that codes for a single base.
    • A sequence of three bases on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.
    • A sequence of three bases on tRNA that is removed by splicing before translation.
    • A sequence of three bases in an intron that is removed from the DNA during transcription.

  5. What is an anticodon?

    • A sequence of three bases on tRNA that pairs with a codon on mRNA.
    • A sequence of three bases on rRNA that is removed from the ribosome during translation.
    • A sequence of three bases on mRNA that pairs with a codon on the DNA template.
    • A sequence of three amino acids on a polypeptide that matches a codon on tRNA.

  6. A tRNA has the anticodon UAC. Which mRNA codon does it pair with?

    • AUG
    • CAU
    • GUA
    • UAC

  7. A polypeptide has five amino acids. What is the minimum number of bases in the mRNA that codes for it, excluding any stop codon?

    • 10
    • 5
    • 20
    • 15

  8. Why does the degenerate nature of the genetic code reduce the effect of some base substitutions?

    • A change in a base is removed by splicing, so the amino acid sequence is never affected.
    • A change in a base creates a new codon that codes for a histone protein instead.
    • A change in a base can still produce a triplet coding for the same amino acid, leaving the polypeptide unchanged.
    • A change in a base always changes the amino acid, so the polypeptide is always altered.

  9. Which description best matches how a ribosome reads an mRNA molecule during translation?

    • It reads codons in order, one at a time, bringing the matching tRNA with its amino acid.
    • It reads introns first, removing them before the codons can be translated.
    • It reads the DNA template directly, skipping the mRNA step entirely.
    • It reads the whole mRNA molecule at once, joining all amino acids in a single step.

  10. A researcher uses data from a genetic code table to relate a DNA sequence to a polypeptide. What skill is being used?

    • Calculating the water potential of a plant tissue from its change in mass.
    • Relating the base sequence of nucleic acids to the amino acid sequence of polypeptides.
    • Measuring the rate of photosynthesis in a leaf disc using a light intensity series.
    • Counting the number of stomata in a leaf epidermis using a light microscope.

  11. What does a stop codon do during translation?

    • It codes for the amino acid methionine, which starts the chain on the ribosome.
    • It signals that translation should end and the polypeptide is released from the ribosome.
    • It joins two tRNA molecules together so that the chain can grow longer.
    • It signals that transcription should start, so RNA polymerase binds to the DNA.

  12. Which statement describes how tRNA carries amino acids?

    • Each tRNA carries one specific amino acid attached to its 3' end, and its anticodon matches a codon.
    • Each tRNA carries a whole polypeptide attached to its anticodon end, which then joins the ribosome.
    • Each tRNA carries a codon that pairs with an amino acid on the surface of the ribosome.
    • Each tRNA carries many amino acids in a single chain, which are released one by one.

  13. A mutation changes a codon so that the new codon codes for the same amino acid. What is the effect on the polypeptide?

    • The polypeptide is lengthened, because the codon now codes for two amino acids.
    • The polypeptide is unchanged, because the amino acid sequence is the same.
    • The polypeptide is replaced by a tRNA, because the codon no longer codes for an amino acid.
    • The polypeptide is shortened, because the codon now acts as a stop codon.

  14. What happens to the tRNA molecule after it has delivered its amino acid to the ribosome?

    • It is joined to the polypeptide and remains part of the completed protein.
    • It moves back into the nucleus, where it joins with the next gene to be transcribed.
    • It is released and can pick up another molecule of the same amino acid.
    • It is destroyed by the ribosome, which uses its bases as energy.

  15. An mRNA of 18 bases has no introns and ends with one stop codon. How many amino acids does it code for?

    • 5
    • 18
    • 17
    • 6

  16. What determines the order of amino acids in a polypeptide?

    • The number of ribosomes attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cell.
    • The number of tRNA molecules available in the cytoplasm at that particular moment.
    • The order of introns in the pre-mRNA, which are spliced out in sequence.
    • The order of codons on the mRNA, which the ribosome reads in sequence.

  17. A student says translation takes place in the nucleus because the DNA is there. Evaluate this claim.

    • The claim is partly right, because translation occurs in the nucleus only in prokaryotic cells.
    • The claim is right, because DNA is directly read by ribosomes inside the nucleus during translation.
    • The claim is right, because tRNA is made in the nucleus and joins amino acids together there.
    • The claim is wrong, because translation takes place on ribosomes, using mRNA that has left the nucleus.

  18. Which statement describes how a ribosome moves along an mRNA during translation?

    • It stays still while the mRNA is pulled through it one codon at a time by tRNA.
    • It moves along the mRNA one base at a time, reading in the 3' to 5' direction.
    • It moves along the mRNA one codon at a time, reading in the 5' to 3' direction.
    • It moves along the DNA template in the nucleus, reading one codon at a time.

  19. A cell has a shortage of ATP. What is the predicted effect on translation?

    • Translation speeds up, because ATP is used to break down mRNA more quickly in the cytoplasm.
    • Translation is unchanged, because ATP is used only in transcription and never in translation.
    • Translation is unaffected, because ribosomes do not require energy to join amino acids together.
    • Translation slows or stops, because joining amino acids and moving the ribosome both need ATP.

  20. What is the name of the bond that links amino acids together in a polypeptide during translation?

    • A hydrogen bond
    • An ester bond
    • A glycosidic bond
    • A peptide bond

All AQA Biology quizzes