Identify the process taking place in the given picture.

The correct answer is Option (3) → Translation

The picture shows a ribosome moving along an mRNA. tRNAs bring amino acids (Ser, Ala, Val ...) and pair with the codons of the mRNA. The amino acids are joined one by one into a growing polypeptide chain. Joining amino acids into a polypeptide, in the order set by the mRNA, is translation.

Option (1) Replication — Incorrect. Replication is the copying of DNA into new DNA by DNA polymerase. The picture has no DNA strands; it shows mRNA, tRNA and a ribosome.

Option (2) Transcription — Incorrect. Transcription is the copying of DNA into RNA by RNA polymerase. Here the RNA is already made and is being read, not formed.

Option (3) Translation — Correct. The ribosome, the tRNAs carrying amino acids and the growing polypeptide chain show that a protein is being made from the mRNA message. This is translation.

NCERT Extract:
Translation – “Translation refers to the process of polymerisation of amino acids to form a polypeptide (Figure 5.13). The order and sequence of amino acids are defined by the sequence of bases in the mRNA. The amino acids are joined by a bond which is known as a peptide bond.”