Ribosomes
Ribosomes
Ribosomes (/ˈraɪbəˌsoʊmz/; from ribonucleic acid and the Greek: σώμα, meaning 'body') are a type of protein synthesis machinery found in all living cells. They link amino acids together in the order specified by messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. Ribosomes consist of two major components: the small ribosomal subunits, which read the mRNA, and the large subunits, which join amino acids to form a polypeptide chain.
Etymology
The term "ribosome" is derived from the ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the Greek word "soma" which means body. This is due to the ribosome's role in creating proteins, which are essential components of the body's cells.
Function
Ribosomes have two primary functions — decoding the message and the formation of peptide bonds. These functions are fundamentally important for the cell since protein synthesis is one of the most fundamental tasks that occur in every cell.
Structure
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal proteins (r-proteins). The ribosomes are assembled from their components in the nucleolus of the eukaryotic cell.
Types
There are two types of ribosomes, free ribosomes and bound ribosomes. Free ribosomes are suspended in the cytosol, while bound ribosomes are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ribosomes
- Wikipedia's article - Ribosomes
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