Which end of the mRNA is read first during translation?

During translation, the ribosome initiates reading the mRNA at the 5' end. This is significant because the 5' end bears the cap structure that is crucial for ribosome binding and initiation of translation. The ribosome reads the mRNA in a 5' to 3' direction, allowing the codons to be translated into the corresponding amino acids that make up the protein chain.

The process begins at the start codon, which is typically AUG, located at the 5' end of the mRNA. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA strand, it synthesizes the polypeptide chain according to the codon sequence, ultimately ending at a stop codon. The understanding of this mechanism is essential for comprehending how proteins are synthesized within the cell and emphasizes the importance of the 5' cap in initiating translation.