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What Do Ribosomes Do?

Answer – Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains.

Explanation:

Proteins are important to almost all aspects of cellular biology. Among other things, they are essential in the structures of cells and their contents, along with being intercellular messengers and the catalysts for important chemical processes.

Ribosomes are the cell organelles responsible for the synthesis of proteins. They attach to the mRNA released by the nucleus. It carries the information required to produce the right kind of proteins for specific functions. The ribosomes translate this information on the mRNA by creating polypeptide links between amino acids. The resulting polypeptide chains attach and fold to create the requisite proteins. 

Ribosomes are present in multiple regions in cells. They are found floating freely in the cytoplasm, or attached to other organelles, specifically the (rough) endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts and mitochondria. They produce proteins for varying functions depending on where they are present. 

For instance, proteins that the cell is going to export outside of itself or use in the structure of its cell membrane are made by ribosomes bound to the endoplasmic reticulum, while those that are produced by free ribosomes are needed within the cytoplasm.


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