Ribosomal

/ˌraɪbəˈsoʊməl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of ribosomes, the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.

Etymology

From English 'ribosome' (coined in 1958 from ribonucleic acid + Greek 'soma' meaning body) + adjectival suffix '-al'. The term ribosome was created to describe these RNA-containing cellular bodies discovered in the 1950s.

Kelly Says

Ribosomal RNA makes up about 80% of all RNA in a typical cell, making ribosomes some of the most abundant and ancient molecular machines on Earth. These protein factories are so essential that their structure has remained remarkably conserved across all domains of life for billions of years.

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