Explanation:
A ribosome is a complex molecular machine found inside the living cells that produce proteins from amino acids during the process called protein synthesis or translation. The process of protein synthesis is a primary function, which is performed by all living cells.
Ribosomes are specialized cell organelles and found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Every living cell requires ribosomes for the production of proteins.
This cell organelle also functions by binding to a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and decoding the information carried by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA. The transfer RNAs (tRNAs) comprising amino acids, enter into the ribosome at the acceptor site. Once it gets bind up, it adds amino acid to the growing protein chain on tRNA
A ribosome is a complex of RNA and protein and is, therefore, known as a ribonucleoprotein. It is composed of two subunits – smaller and larger.
The smaller subunit, where the mRNA binds and is decoded and in the larger subunit, the amino acids get added. Both of the subunits contain both protein and ribonucleic acid components.
The two subunits are joined to each other by interactions between the rRNAs in one subunit and proteins in the other subunit.
Ribosomes are located inside the cytosol found in the plant cell and animal cell.
The ribosome structure includes the following:
It is located in two areas of cytoplasm.
Scattered in the cytoplasm.
Prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes while eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes.
Around 62% of ribosomes are comprised of RNA, while the rest is proteins.
The structure of free and bound ribosomes is similar and is associated with protein synthesis.
Ribosomes Function
The important ribosome function includes:
It assembles amino acid to form proteins that are essential to carry out cellular functions.
The DNA produces mRNA by the process of DNA transcription.
The mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and transported to the cytoplasm for the process of protein synthesis.
The ribosomal subunits in the cytoplasm are bound around mRNA polymers. The tRNA then synthesizes proteins.
The proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm are utilized in the cytoplasm itself, the proteins synthesized by bound ribosomes are transported outside the cell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of the ribosome?
Ribosomes are the organelles that help in protein synthesis. Protein is required for many cell activities such as damage repair and other chemical processes.
What is a ribosome composed of?
A ribosome is composed of two subunits:
the small ribosomal subunits- these read the mRNA
the large ribosomal subunits- they form polypeptide chains of amino acids.
How does the ribosome work?
The ribosomal subunits come together and combine with the mRNA during protein synthesis. They bind to the mRNA and start the synthesis of proteins.
What are the two different types of ribosomes?
The two different types of ribosomes include:
70 S-found in prokaryotic cells
80 S-found in eukaryotic cells
How are prokaryotic ribosomes different from eukaryotic ribosomes?
Prokaryotic ribosomes include three individual rRNA molecules and contain the large ribosomal subunit, the 80s.
Eukaryotic ribosomes include four individual rRNA molecules and contain the small ribosomal subunit, the 70s.
