During translation, what does the ribosome decode to produce a specific amino acid chain?

The ribosome decodes messenger RNA (mRNA) during the process of translation to produce a specific amino acid chain. mRNA serves as the template that carries the genetic information transcribed from DNA, which includes the sequence of codons that will dictate the order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Each codon consists of three nucleotides and corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during translation. The ribosome reads these codons as it facilitates the binding of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which each carry an amino acid. The correct amino acid is brought to the growing chain according to the sequence of codons in the mRNA, ultimately leading to the synthesis of a functional protein.

The other options each play a different role in the process but do not serve as the template for the amino acid sequence during translation. tRNA works alongside mRNA, bringing in the appropriate amino acids, while ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a structural and functional component of the ribosome itself. DNA contains the genetic code for the overall instructions but does not directly participate in the decoding process during translation.