A large and small subunit with A, P and E sites that coordinate tRNA binding and peptide bond formation.
The small subunit binds mRNA and the large subunit contains the peptidyl transferase centre made of rRNA. tRNA sites: A (aminoacyl), P (peptidyl) and E (exit). Cryo-EM has revealed structures at atomic resolution.
Bacterial 70S ribosomes (30S + 50S) differ from eukaryotic 80S (40S + 60S), which allows selective antibiotics.
A large and small subunit with A, P and E sites that coordinate tRNA binding and peptide bond formation.
Ribosome Structure is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Initiation, Elongation, Termination, Riboswitches, Helicase and Topoisomerase.
Tetracycline blocks the A site of bacterial ribosomes.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to Ribosome Structure. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Ribosome Structure are Initiation, Elongation, Termination, Riboswitches, Helicase and Topoisomerase, Operon. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Ribosome Structure. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Ribosome Structure: A large and small subunit with A, P and E sites that coordinate tRNA binding and peptide bond formation. Initiation, Elongation, Termination: The three stages of translation: assembly at the start codon, chain growth, and release at a stop codon. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Initiation, Elongation, Termination and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The three stages of translation: assembly at the start codon, chain growth, and release at a stop codon.
🧫 Molecular BiologyRNA elements that bind small metabolites and change structure to regulate gene expression directly.
🧫 Molecular BiologyHelicase unwinds the double helix at the fork while topoisomerase relieves the supercoiling strain ahead of it.
🧫 Molecular BiologyA cluster of bacterial genes under one promoter and operator, regulated together.
🧫 Molecular Biology