80S ribosomes
Definition
80S ribosomes are large ribonucleoprotein complexes found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells responsible for protein synthesis. They are composed of a 60S large subunit and a 40S small subunit.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- 80S ribosomes are distinct from prokaryotic 70S ribosomes, which have different structural and functional properties.
- The 'S' in 80S stands for Svedberg unit, a measure of sedimentation rate during centrifugation.
- The 60S large subunit contains three rRNA molecules (28S, 5.8S, and 5S) and about 49 proteins.
- The 40S small subunit contains one rRNA molecule (18S) and about 33 proteins.
- 80S ribosomes play a critical role in translating mRNA into polypeptides during the process of translation.
Review Questions
- What are the two main subunits that constitute an 80S ribosome?
- How do eukaryotic 80S ribosomes differ from prokaryotic ribosomes?
- What is the significance of the Svedberg unit in describing ribosome components?
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Related terms
Ribosome: A cell organelle that functions as the site of protein synthesis.
rRNA: Ribosomal RNA; a type of RNA that makes up part of the structure of ribosomes.
Translation: The process by which mRNA is decoded by a ribosome to produce a specific polypeptide.
