Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for synthesis or production of proteins in living beings. In these, the translation of the messenger RNA into a chain of amino acids occurs.
The most important function of the ribosome is the synthesis of proteins, an essential element for the general functioning of all living beings.
In prokaryotic cells (without a defined nucleus), ribosomes are produced in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotic cells (with a defined nucleus) they are generated in the nucleolus within the cell nucleus.
In the case of the ribosomes of prokaryotic cells, the ribosome translates the information from the messenger RNA (mRNA or mRNA) directly and immediately.
On the other hand, in eukaryotic cells, the mRNA must cross the nuclear envelope through the nuclear pores to the cytoplasm or rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) to reach the ribosomes.
In this way, in animal and plant cells (eukaryotic cells), this type of ribosome translates the information contained in the mRNA and when it joins with the correct ribosome in the cytosol, it will synthesize the protein with the specific sequence of amino acids. This process is called protein translation or synthesis.
Characteristics of ribosomes
Ribosomes are characterized by being present in the vast majority of cells in all living beings. In both prokaryotic cells (undefined nucleus) and eukaryotic cells (defined nucleus), ribosomes have the important function of synthesizing or translating information for the production of proteins.
On the other hand, proteins are the basis for most of the biological processes necessary in the life cycle of a cell. For example, they are responsible for the transport of substances, tissue regeneration and regulation of metabolism.
Ribosome function
The function of the ribosome, in both prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic cells, is to produce proteins according to the amino acids encoded in the messenger RNA (mRNA or mRNA).
The difference between the bacterial ribosome and that of cells with a defined cell nucleus (eukaryotes) is that the ribosome of the latter also has the function of synthesizing or translating the information of the mRNA.
Structure of ribosomes
Ribosomes are composed of two subunits, one large and one small, plus a compressed messenger RNA nucleic acid chain that passes between them.
Each subunit of the ribosome is made up of a ribosomal RNA and a protein. Together they organize translation and catalyze the reaction to generate polypeptide chains that will be the basis for proteins.
On the other hand, transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are responsible for carrying amino acids to the ribosome and pairing the messenger RNA with the amino acids that code for the protein that will be produced by the ribosome.