What is the process that directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm?

The process that directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm is translation. During translation, the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) is read by ribosomes, which then assemble amino acids in the correct order to form a protein. This process involves several key components, including mRNA, transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomes.

The ribosome facilitates the binding of tRNA, which carries specific amino acids that correspond to the codons on the mRNA strand. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, it catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between the amino acids, resulting in a polypeptide chain that eventually folds into a functional protein.

Transcription, on the other hand, refers to the process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template, while replication is the duplication of DNA prior to cell division. Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used for separating molecules based on size and charge, typically employed in genetic analysis and protein studies but not involved in the actual synthesis of proteins.