Back to: MICROBIOLOGY 200 LEVEL
Welcome to class!
My amazing learner, welcome again! It’s always exciting to see your bright mind growing stronger with every topic. You’ve been doing wonderfully so far, and today we’re going to talk about something very central in biology — Ribosomes in Protein Synthesis. Think of ribosomes as the kitchens of your cells where proteins — the body’s important tools — are cooked up. Let’s break it down together in a way that’s as relatable as eating amala on a rainy day!
Ribosomes In Protein Synthesis
Have you ever been to a buka (local canteen) or watched someone cook in a well-organised kitchen? There’s usually a central place where all the ingredients come together, are processed, and finally become a tasty meal.
That’s exactly what ribosomes do in your cells! After the recipe (mRNA) and the ingredients (amino acids) are ready, the ribosome brings everything together to build proteins — one of the most important jobs in your entire body.
What Are Ribosomes?
Ribosomes are small, round structures made of rRNA and protein.
They are either free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).
Their main job is to read the mRNA and link amino acids together to form a protein.
So basically, if the mRNA is the recipe, the ribosome is the kitchen where that recipe is cooked into a delicious, useful meal — the protein!
How Ribosomes Work in Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis happens in two main steps: translation and elongation, and ribosomes are central to it all.
Initiation
The ribosome attaches to the start codon (AUG) on the mRNA.
This tells the ribosome where to begin assembling the protein.
Elongation
tRNA brings amino acids to the ribosome, matching its anticodon with the codon on the mRNA.
The ribosome helps form peptide bonds between amino acids, linking them like beads on a string.
Termination
When the ribosome reaches a stop codon, it knows the protein is complete.
It releases the new protein, which can now go do its job in the body.
Structure of a Ribosome
A ribosome has two subunits:
Large subunit: where amino acids are joined together.
Small subunit: binds to the mRNA and reads the codons.
These two subunits work together to ensure that everything happens smoothly and accurately.
Imagine you’re at a party and there’s a chef cooking up delicious jollof rice. The chef (ribosome) reads the written instructions (mRNA), receives each ingredient (amino acid) from assistants (tRNAs), and cooks it in the right order until the perfect jollof is done (the complete protein). That’s exactly how your ribosomes work — fast, focused, and efficient!
Summary
- Ribosomes are tiny structures that help build proteins in all living cells.
- They are made of rRNA and protein, and found in the cytoplasm or on the rough ER.
- Ribosomes read the mRNA and use tRNA to add amino acids in the correct order.
- Protein synthesis involves initiation, elongation, and termination.
- The two ribosome subunits (large and small) work together to produce complete proteins.
Evaluation
- What is the main function of ribosomes?
- What are the two subunits of a ribosome?
- Where are ribosomes found in a cell?
- How does a ribosome know where to start and stop protein synthesis?
- Describe what happens during the elongation phase of protein synthesis.
You’ve just understood one of the most powerful machines in your cells — the ribosome! With this knowledge, you’re one step closer to becoming the confident microbiologist or medical scientist you dream of being. Keep learning with Afrilearn, where your growth is our joy and your future is looking very bright. See you in the next exciting class!