Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The large subunit is one of the two components of ribosomes, responsible for catalyzing peptide bond formation during protein synthesis. It works in conjunction with the small subunit to translate mRNA into a polypeptide chain.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The large subunit combines with the small subunit to form a functional ribosome.
In prokaryotes, the large subunit is 50S, while in eukaryotes, it is 60S.
The large subunit contains peptidyl transferase activity which forms peptide bonds between amino acids.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins are critical components of the large subunit.
Antibiotics like chloramphenicol target the bacterial large subunit to inhibit protein synthesis.
Review Questions
Related terms
Small Subunit: The smaller part of a ribosome that binds to mRNA and initiates translation.
Peptidyl Transferase: An enzymatic function within the large subunit that forms peptide bonds during protein synthesis.
mRNA (Messenger RNA): A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to be translated by ribosomes into proteins.