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Ribosomes

Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. They are either free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes.They are made in the nucleolus from ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and protein.Each ribosome is made from a large subunit and a small subunit. The large subunit contains the enzyme peptidyl transferase which joins amino-acids together to form proteins. Mitochondria and chloroplasts also contain ribosomes.
The mitochondrial ribosomes of eukaryotic cells are distinct from their other ribosomes. They functionally resemble those in bacteria, giving rise to the evolutionary theory of the origin of mitochondria as endosymbiotic bacteria.

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Specification: OCR Biology A (H020), AS-level, 2.1.1 Cell structure. Topic: Cell Structure.

Key terms in this lesson

nucleolus
A spherical structure within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA is made and combined with protein to form ribosomes.
mitochondrion
An organelle with a double membrane, the inner one folded into cristae, that is the site of aerobic respiration and ATP production.
eukaryotic cell
A cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, found in animals, plants, fungi and protoctists.

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