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Ribosomes

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA derived from nuclear DNA. They are particulate structures found:

  • on the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, often joined together by strands of messenger RNA - polyribosomes
  • free within the cytoplasm - polysomes

They function in protein synthesis by:

  • acting as a site for the junction of messenger RNA and transfer RNA
  • catalyzing the formation of a peptide bond in the growing peptide chain
  • ensuring the correct site of initiation and termination of the peptide chain

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