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

ribosome

/ rī′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.

Derived Forms

• ˌriboˈsomal, adjective

Other Words From

• ribo·somal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribosome¹

First recorded in 1955–60; ribo(se) + -some ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribosome¹

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

Example Sentences

Then, another molecule called a ribosome reads the mRNA, translating it into protein.

From Science Daily

Bacteria modify their ribosomes when exposed to widely used antibiotics, according to research published today in Nature Communications.

From Science Daily

Cells copy the code of genes into pieces of RNA and these RNAs act as messengers that ferry the genetic codes to the ribosomes, which use it to create proteins.

From Science Daily

A cell transcribes the ORF sequence into messenger RNA, which travels to cellular factories called ribosomes that assemble amino acid sequences into proteins.

From Science Magazine

That mRNA is read and translated at a cell's ribosome to create more proteins, important for the chemical and physical function of every organism.

From Science Daily