Understanding Ribosomes

Front

What are ribosomes?

Back

Ribosomes are complex molecular machines found within all living cells that perform the essential function of synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains.

Front

What is the primary function of ribosomes?

Back

The primary function of ribosomes is to produce proteins by translating the genetic code carried by mRNA.

Front

What are the two main types of ribosomes?

Back

The two main types of ribosomes are prokaryotic ribosomes (70S) and eukaryotic ribosomes (80S).

Front

What does 'S' stand for in ribosome classification?

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The 'S' in ribosome classification stands for Svedberg unit, which is a measure of the rate of sedimentation during centrifugation, reflecting the size and density of the ribosome.

Front

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for assembling amino acids into proteins.

Front

What are amino acids?

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Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that combine in various sequences to form proteins.

Front

How do ribosomes read mRNA?

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Ribosomes read mRNA in sets of three nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Front

What is the significance of the start codon?

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The start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of protein synthesis and codes for the amino acid methionine.

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What is a stop codon?

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A stop codon is a nucleotide triplet within mRNA that signals the termination of protein synthesis, indicating that the ribosome should release the newly formed polypeptide.

Front

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes?

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Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller (70S) and lack a membrane-bound nucleus, while eukaryotic ribosomes are larger (80S) and are found in cells with a nucleus.