Ribosomes are tiny particles or a component in the cytoplasm of the cell that has RNA and other connected or related proteins. But what exactly is the role of ribosomes in the cell?
What is the function of ribosomes, we know that proteins are very essential molecules for any cellular mechanism. The main role or function of the ribosome as an organelle in the cell is they aid in protein synthesis.
Each and every question will be solved in this article on what is the function of ribosomes in cell, animal cell, plant cell, chloroplast and mitochondria.
Ribosomes aid in the conversion of genetic information into proteins. To be more precise, the organelle ribosome is like a space or site in which the synthesis of protein happens.
What is the function of ribosomes in animal cells?
The cellular components and their functions in animal cells are much more complex than other organisms.
In animal cells, The complex mechanisms and structures must be maintained by proteins. So the purpose of ribosomes in animal cells are to aid in the synthesis of protein processes.
Plant cell structures and mechanisms are unique in their own way
Ribosomes serve as a site of protein synthesis as they do in animals or other cells. The mRNA is inspected and translated into corresponding amino acids and thus forms the polypeptide chain that is the protein.
What is the function of ribosomes in mitochondria?
The ribosomes present inside the mitochondria are called Mitochondrial ribosomes. These mitochondrial ribosomes or the mitoribosomes aid in the synthesis of the membrane proteins that are seen in the mitochondria which is known as mitochondrial membrane proteins.
In bacteria, the ribosomes serve as the site for translation of mRNA and synthesis of protein. In Bacteria, the subunits are 50s(Large) subunits and 30s(Small) subunits.
What is the function of ribosomes in chloroplasts?
Chloroplasts are the organelle that has chlorophyll and gives a bright green color to the plants and organisms that have chloroplast in it.
Recent findings state that the ribosomes are present inside the matrix of chloroplast. Their main role is to aid in chloroplast gene expression.
What is the composition of a ribosome?
Ribosome is an organelle that consists of 2 ribosomal subunit.
The ribosome has 2 RNA- Protein complexes which are known as subunits.
The structure of ribosomes can be compared to that of a sandwich (2 buns on the opposite side and the main ingredient in between them-Middle). The same way, the large subunit is placed on the top of the small subunit and the mRNA strand that needs to be translated is placed in the middle.
Translation is a process in which the mRNA strand which is the end product of transcription process codes for the basic units of proteins, that is the amino acid and the synthesis of protein takes place.
Cytoplasm is the whole semifluid of the cell, enclosed by the cellular membrane except the nucleus. It consists of cytosol, the cellular organelles and various kinds of cytoplasmic inclusions. Cytoplasm function in animal cells are-
The cytoplasm holds all the components of a cell. All the cellular organelles remain embedded in it.
Cytoplasm is a buffer which gives protection to the cell and its genetic material during the movement or collision with other cells.
Some cytoplasmic organelles like chloroplast, mitochondria have their own genetic material. The gene transmission process is totally independent from the nucleus. It is controlled by the cytoplasm and hence called cytoplasmic inheritance.
The cytoplasm is the home of all cellular activities. In 1863, a Swiss anatomist, physiologist, and histologist sir Rudolf von Kölliker first used the term cytoplasm as a synonym of protoplasm.
Cytoplasm is a gelatinous semifluid of a cell. Cyto means cell and plasm means stuff, so together it’s cell staff. The main function of Cytoplasm is to hold all the cellular organelles in it.
Cytoplasm is basically made up of water (80%-85%), proteins (10%-15%), lipids (2%-4%), inorganic salts and polysaccharides.
It has various micro elements in it. According to research it is consist of oxygen (62%), carbon (20%), hidrogen (10%), nitrogen (3%), calcium (2.5%), phosphorus (1.14%), chlorine (0.16%), sulfur (0.14%), potassium (0.11%), sodium (0.10%), magnesium (0.07%), iodine (0.0014%) and iron (0.10%).
Apart from that it also has very less amount of copper, cobolt, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, boron, silicon, etc.
With this chemical Composition cytoplasm also consists of various enzymes, nucleic acids, and amino acids in it.
Structure Of Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is a viscous substance which functions as a platform for all cellular biochemical activities. As we all know the cytoplasm consists of cytosol, all the cell organelles and some cytoplasmic inclusions. There are majorly two parts of cytoplasm such as-
Ectoplasm is also called exoplasm. The ancient Greek word ἐκτός (èktòs) means outside and the word plasma stands for something formed. The ectoplasm is the outer peripheral part of the cytoplasm. It is the non- granulated and clear. It has a watery kind of physical nature. The function of ectoplasm is mostly to give protection and help in cellular transportation at this part (specially for amoeboid cells). The ectoplasm also contains actin and myosin filaments, which give rigidity and support to the cell membrane.
Endoplasm
Endoplasm is the inner granulated dense part of the cytoplasm. It consists of several granules, nucleic acids, amino acids, water, sugar, fatty acids, inorganic ions, etc. It assists most of the metabolic activities in the cell. It contains all the cellular organelles, and hosts the endomembrane system of the cell.
In the case of amoeboid cells one of the major cytoplasm functions is pseudopodia formation and the acceleration of the movement mechanisms.
Components Of Cytoplasm In Animal Cells
In simple words Cytoplasm is nothing but the non nuclear component of protoplasm. Here we describe the components of cytoplasm in animal cells. There are three major components of the cytoplasm.
Let’s have a closer look on these components of Cytoplasm respectively
Cytosol
Cytosol is the intracellular fluid, cytoplasmic matrix which holds all the organelles. In 1965, H. A. Lardy first introduced the term cytosol.
It is composed of various water dissolved substances like chemical ions, protein molecules, etc. It is made up of 70% of water, some amount of
Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Magnesium, and Calcium ions. The cytosolic elements like actin filaments and some microtubules form the cytoskeleton which gives the cell rigidity. The function of cytosol is to transport metabolites from one place to another. It helps in cell signaling pathways.
Cellular organelles
The cellular organelles are membrane bound subunits of the cell. These cellular subunits have their own specific functions. There are several cellular organelles, which make up the endomembrane systems. Let’s discuss some major cellular organelles with their specific functions in eukaryotic animal cells.
Cell membrane is one of the major organelles, which separates the intracellular environment from the outside. It protects the cell and helps in transportation mechanisms.
Endoplasmic reticulum are the single membrane compartments. There are two different types of ER found such as Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (without attached ribosomes) and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (with attached ribosomes).
Flagellum is a protein made locomotory organ found in some eukaryotes.
Golgi apparatus helps in protein sorting, packaging, and processing mechanisms. It plays an important role in modification of protein molecules.
Mitochondria is the powerhouse of a cell, which produces energy by oxidation of glucose substances in the cell. It is a double membranous compartment having its own genetic material in it.
Vacuole is the storage element of a cell. It is mainly a single membrane compartment which is very necessary for cellular transportation. It also helps in homeostasis.
Lysosome is a membrane bound cell organella known as suicidal bag. It contains digestive enzymes in it which is responsible for breakdown of large cellular molecules.
Ribosomes (80S) is a protein substance which is known as the protein factory of the cell. It plays a major role in the RNA translation process.
Cytoplasmic Membrane or cell membrane is a biological membrane between the outer and inter cellular environment. It protects the cell from external mechanical injuries. It is composed of various biological components such as-
Cytoplasmic membrane contains carbohydrate substances mostly glycoproteins with some amount of glycolipids. The carbohydrates are important for the cell cell recognition process.
In 1972 American cell biologist Seymour Jonathan Singer and biochemist Garth L. Nicolson first proposed the fluid mosaic model of cell membrane.
According to this phospholipid bilayer is formed which acts as a barrier. Between the phospholipid layers the protein is embedded. Cytoskeleton is also present in cell membrane.
How Does The Cytoplasm Function In Animal Cell?
The cytoplasm primarily holds all the cellular organelles and supports their activities. It is the house of all cellular activities.
The Cytoplasm embeds all the cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic enzymes help in breakdown of cellular wastes. By producing cytoskeleton it brings rigidity to the cell. The filamentous cytoskeleton helps to stick organelles in their correct positions. It assists various biochemical activities like glycolysis, m-RNA translation and protein synthesis process, etc. It helps in removing the foreign particles by moving them towards their destination.
