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Explain the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis.

Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for translating mRNA into proteins, a process known as protein synthesis.

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis, which is the creation of proteins within a cell. This process is vital for the growth, repair, and general maintenance of the body. Ribosomes are the sites where this process occurs, acting as the 'workbenches' for protein synthesis.

Protein synthesis begins with the process of transcription in the nucleus, where a segment of DNA is copied into mRNA (messenger RNA). This mRNA then leaves the nucleus and travels to the ribosomes located in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, the ribosomes read the sequence of codons (groups of three nucleotides) on the mRNA. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, the building blocks of proteins.

The ribosome has two subunits: a large one and a small one. The mRNA binds to the small subunit, and the large subunit then attaches, creating a functional ribosome. The ribosome moves along the mRNA, reading the codons and matching them with the appropriate amino acids. These amino acids are brought to the ribosome by tRNA (transfer RNA) molecules, each of which carries a specific amino acid.

As the ribosome reads the mRNA, it forms peptide bonds between the amino acids, creating a polypeptide chain. This chain will eventually fold into a functional protein. The ribosome continues this process until it reaches a stop codon on the mRNA, signalling the end of the protein. The ribosome then releases the completed protein for it to perform its function in the cell.

In summary, ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis. They act as the site where the genetic information in mRNA is translated into a sequence of amino acids to form a protein. Without ribosomes, the vital process of protein synthesis could not occur, highlighting their fundamental role in cellular function.

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