Abstract

RIBOSOME- THE CELLULAR MACHINE AND BLUEPRINT OF LIFE

Sachin Kolhe, Pradeep Bawane, Amol Gholap and Jineetkumar Gawad*

Abstract

Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. The name of these tiny organelles reflects their high content of one type of ribonucleic acid, ribosomal RNA (rRNA), but each one also includes more than 50 proteins. Structurally, a ribosome consists of two subunits, one about half the size of the other. The large and small subunits are made separately in the nucleolus, a spherical body inside the nucleus. Once produced, the large and small subunits exit the nucleus separately, and then come together in the cytoplasm. These are tiny granules composed of RNA and protein. They synthesize proteins from amino acids, using RNA as the template. When present in free units or in small clusters in the cytoplasm, the ribosomes make proteins for use within the cell. Ribosomes are also found on the outer surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Keywords: Ribosomes, Discovery of 30S and 70S, Action of Antibiotics on Ribosomes.