What is the product of translation in gene expression?

Translation is a key step in the process of gene expression, where the information contained in messenger RNA (mRNA) is used to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain, which ultimately folds into a functional protein. During translation, ribosomes read the sequence of codons in the mRNA, and transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the corresponding amino acids to the ribosome. Each amino acid is attached to the growing polypeptide chain, and the sequence of amino acids determines the structure and function of the resulting protein.

Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including acting as enzymes, structural components, signaling molecules, and transporters. Therefore, the end product of translation is proteins, which play crucial roles in maintaining cellular function and facilitating biological processes. This aligns with the understanding that the ultimate goal of gene expression is to produce functional proteins that can impact the organism's phenotype.