Which statement about ribosomes is true?

Study for the UCF Biomedical Exit Exam. Access flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

Multiple Choice

Which statement about ribosomes is true?

Explanation:
Understanding how ribosomes are characterized helps make sense of these options. The numbers refer to the sedimentation coefficient, called Svedberg units, which reflect how fast a particle sediments during ultracentrifugation—not its exact size. In cells, the cytoplasmic ribosomes differ by domain: eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes, made of a 60S large subunit and a 40S small subunit, while prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes, made of a 50S large subunit and a 30S small subunit. Therefore the true statement is that eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S and prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S. The other options assign incorrect S values to either domain (such as 75S, 90S, or 70S for eukaryotes), which don’t match the standard cytoplasmic ribosome composition. Note that organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells also have 70S ribosomes, but the cytoplasmic ribosomes discussed here remain 80S in eukaryotes.

Understanding how ribosomes are characterized helps make sense of these options. The numbers refer to the sedimentation coefficient, called Svedberg units, which reflect how fast a particle sediments during ultracentrifugation—not its exact size. In cells, the cytoplasmic ribosomes differ by domain: eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes, made of a 60S large subunit and a 40S small subunit, while prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes, made of a 50S large subunit and a 30S small subunit. Therefore the true statement is that eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S and prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S. The other options assign incorrect S values to either domain (such as 75S, 90S, or 70S for eukaryotes), which don’t match the standard cytoplasmic ribosome composition. Note that organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells also have 70S ribosomes, but the cytoplasmic ribosomes discussed here remain 80S in eukaryotes.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy