ribosome

The definition of a ribosome is a tiny particle made up of nucleic acids and proteins that exist in large numbers in the gel-like substance in between every cell in the body.

Facts About Ribosome

  • Ribosome gets its name from "ribonucleoprotein particles" and "microsomes" which are both particles inside the cell. Richard B. Roberts suggested "ribosome" in 1958.
  • In 1955, George Palade, a cell biologist, along with Philip Siekevitz, discovered ribosomes and identified their function as making proteins.
  • Ribosome refers to ribonucleoprotein particles in sizes ranging from 35 to 100S.
(noun)

An example of a ribosome is one of the particles located outside of a cell that helps build proteins.

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See ribosome in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a minute, spherical particle composed of RNA and proteins and present in great numbers in the cytoplasm of cells: proteins are manufactured at the ribosomal surface following genetic instructions carried there by messenger RNA

Origin: < ribose + -some

Related Forms:

See ribosome in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A minute round particle composed of RNA and protein that is found in the cytoplasm of living cells and serves as the site of assembly for polypeptides encoded by messenger RNA.

Origin:

Origin: ribo(nucleic acid)

Origin: + -some3

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Related Forms:

  • riˌbo·soˈmal (-sōˈməl) adjective

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