noun
- A cluster of ribosomes attached to a single messenger RNA molecule, functioning together to synthesize a protein.
Usage: Also called polysomes.; Technical term used in molecular biology and cell biology.; Plural form; singular is polyribosome.
Examples
- Polyribosomes are visible under an electron microscope as beads on a string.
- The cell uses polyribosomes to efficiently produce multiple copies of the same protein simultaneously.
- During translation, polyribosomes move along the mRNA strand in sequence.
- Free polyribosomes in the cytoplasm synthesize proteins for use within the cell.
- Bound polyribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum produce proteins for export.