3D Ribosome and Its Function Simulation
Translation at the molecular level

Hands-on laboratory

Mission: assemble a ribosome, recognize AUG, decode codons, form peptide bonds, and release a protein.
12 codons
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80%
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Live measurements

StageReady
Active codon—
Amino acids0 / 12
Proteins made0

The ribosomal subunits are ready. Press Start to assemble on mRNA and begin translation.

Translation graph

Codons decodedPeptide length

Microscope & camera

Focus: noneTap a structure
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Drag to pan. Wheel or pinch to zoom. Tap either subunit, mRNA, A site, P site, E site, tRNA, peptide center, or exit tunnel for a live molecular view.

Teacher / Demo tools

Interactive teacher-led lesson

A five-second visual hook begins a detailed 12-chapter lesson. Every sentence controls the molecular target, arrow, cinematic camera, and animated microscopic event.

Ready. The lecture will not start automatically.
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Ready for the journey

What to watch: the cell is waiting. Press Start Complete Lecture.

The lesson begins only when you choose to start it.

Learning objectives

  • Identify the large and small ribosomal subunits.
  • Trace tRNA through the A, P, and E sites.
  • Explain decoding, peptide-bond formation, and translocation.
  • Predict how energy and charged-tRNA supply change translation speed.
  • Explain start and stop codon recognition.

Key concepts demonstrated

The ribosome reads mRNA from the 5-prime toward the 3-prime end. The small subunit checks codon matching, while ribosomal RNA in the large subunit catalyzes peptide bonds. tRNAs move through A, P, and E sites as the chain grows through an exit tunnel.

Suggested experiments

  • Lower charged-tRNA supply and observe pauses at the A site.
  • Reduce energy and compare translocation speed.
  • Choose the stop-codon experiment and observe early release.
  • Tap every site to inspect its molecular action.

Questions for exploration

  • Why does the initiator tRNA begin in the P site rather than the A site?
  • How does the ribosome avoid adding most incorrect amino acids?
  • Why must translocation move exactly one codon?

Real-world applications

Cells regulate growth by controlling translation. Many antibiotics target bacterial ribosomes, while ribosome defects can cause disease. Researchers use ribosome structures to design medicines.

Common misconceptions

  • Ribosomes do not convert mRNA itself into protein; they use its sequence as instructions.
  • tRNA delivers amino acids but does not become part of the final protein.
  • The large subunit is not mainly a protein enzyme; its RNA performs the key catalytic reaction.
  • Stop codons do not encode an amino acid.

Protein synthesis challenge

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