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ribosome

[ rahy-buh-sohm ]

noun

, Cell Biology.
  1. a tiny, somewhat mitten-shaped organelle occurring in great numbers in the cell cytoplasm either freely, in small clusters, or attached to the outer surfaces of endoplasmic reticula, and functioning as the site of protein manufacture.


ribosome

/ ˈraɪbəˌsəʊm /

noun

  1. any of numerous minute particles in the cytoplasm of cells, either free or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, that contain RNA and protein and are the site of protein synthesis
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


ribosome

/ bə-sōm′ /

  1. A sphere-shaped structure within the cytoplasm of a cell that is composed of RNA and protein and is the site of protein synthesis. Ribosomes are free in the cytoplasm and often attached to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum . Ribosomes exist in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Plastids and mitochondria in eukaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes similar to those of prokaryotes.
  2. See more at cell


ribosome

  1. A small, ball-like structure in the cell , made of proteins and RNA molecules , that serves as a platform on which the cell's proteins are made.


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Derived Forms

  • ˌriboˈsomal, adjective
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Other Words From

  • ribo·somal adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ribosome1

First recorded in 1955–60; ribo(se) + -some 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ribosome1

C20: from ribo ( nucleic acid ) + -some ³
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Example Sentences

Because ribosomes are so important to cells, changes in RNA sequences could prove a disaster.

These mRNAs would pass these instructions onto the ribosomes, the cellular protein and peptide-making machines, which would assemble them accordingly.

Once inside the cells, the “protein-making factories,” or ribosomes, use these instructions to build copies of the spike protein.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania were able to create mRNA that could get past cells’ defenses, but still be recognized by the ribosome.

Then, the RNA brings these instructions to the ribosome, which “reads” them.

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