Question

An organism can be just a single cell such as a bacterium or can be made up of trillions of cells like humans. However, each cell is like a machine. It has many parts and each works in concert with the other. Pick one cell organelle, describe its structure and function and then discuss how it works with another cell organelle. Don't forget to add a question to get the class engaged in discussion.

Answer 1

Ribosome.

Ribosome is a cell organelle that works as a machine and serve as a site for the biological protein synthesis (translation). Ribosomes link the aminoacid molecules in the order which is provided by the codons of the mRNA. Ribosomes are discovered by George Emil Palade in the mid of 1950s. Ribosomes are classified into 70S (prokaryotes) and 80S (Eukaryotes) where S is the Svedbeg unit. 70S ribosomes consits of one larger subunit (50S) and one smaller subunit (30S). 80S ribosomes contains one larger subunit of 60S and a smaller subunit of 40S. Structure of ribosomes includes ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein. Ribosomes are seen in the cytoplasm either freely or attached with the endoplasmic reticulum.

During protein synthesis the mRNA is placed between the two subunits and the amino acids are linked according to the sequence of mRNA. Ribosomes are very important machinery in translation process. It works in cooperation with other organelles endoplasmic reticulum, golgi bodies and protein processing units.

Question.

What are the difference between prokaryotic and Eukaryotic ribosomes?.