Biology / Unit 6 Bio 1283 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Ribosome Structure: Large and Small Subunits
Captions available
The idea
A ribosome is built from a large and a small subunit, each made of ribosomal RNA and protein, joining together only during translation.
In practice
The small subunit binds mRNA first, and the large subunit joins afterward to form the complete, functional ribosome.
Where people slip
A ribosome's two subunits exist separately in the cell most of the time — they assemble specifically to translate an mRNA.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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