ribosome

American  

[rahy-buh-sohm] / ˈraɪ bəˌsoʊm /

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.

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ribosome British  

/ 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

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ribosome Scientific  

/ 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

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ribosome Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• ribosomal adjective

Etymology

Origin of ribosome

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

Example Sentences

Follow-up studies using additional methods, including optical microscopy, revealed that the interior of these tubes contains many ribosomes, the structures responsible for protein production.

From Science Daily

These forms of stress interfere with normal mRNA reading and can cause ribosomes to stall and run into one another.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

Ribosomal RNA is often modified with chemical tags that can alter the shape and function of the ribosome.

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