RIBOSOMES

Discovery of Ribosomes
Ribosomes first
appeared under the
electron microscope as
dense granules.
This discovery was
made in the mid-1950s
by Romanian cell
biologist George
Palade.

Ribosome Synthesis
Ribosomes are large ribonucleoproteins
assembled from proteins and ribosomal
RNA.
In eukaryotic cells the manufacturing of
ribosomes takes place in the nucleolus.
Whereas in prokaryotes ribosomes are
synthesised in the cytoplasm.

Eukaryotic Ribosomes
Eukaryotic ribosomes are
larger than 70S ribosomes.
The ribosome consists of
two subunits (a large and a
small) constructing an 80S
particle.
The larger 60S subunit and
the smaller 40S subunit.

Bacterial Ribosome
Bacterial ribosomes
have an overall
Svedberg unit of
70S.
Comprised of a large
50S subunit and a
small 30S subunit.

Image displaying translation taken from DNA: the secret of life

Watson and Berry (2003) DNA: the secret of life.

Translation
mRNA template associates with small subunit.
Ribosomes form peptide bonds between
adjacent amino acids.
The growing polypeptide chain leaves the
ribosome through an exit tunnel in the
body of the large subunit.

Translation cont.
The reaction continues until the ribosome
meets a STOP codon.

References
Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., Stryer, L.,
2006. Biochemistry. 6th Edition.
New York: W.H. Freeman And
Company.
Raven, P.H., Johnson, G.B, Mason, K.A,
Losos, J., Singer, S., 2008. Biology. 8th
edition. Boston:McGraw Hill, Higher
Education.