The process of translating mRNA sequences into polypeptides occurs in which cellular structure?

The translation of mRNA sequences into polypeptides occurs in the ribosome, which is the cellular structure responsible for protein synthesis. During this process, the ribosome reads the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA and assembles the corresponding amino acids into a polypeptide chain. This occurs through a series of steps, including the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome, the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids, and the release of the newly formed polypeptide once the ribosome reaches a stop codon on the mRNA.

The ribosome can be found either floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, which plays a role in synthesizing proteins that may need to be secreted from the cell or sent to specific organelles. This process is fundamental for producing proteins that perform a wide range of functions within the biological systems of the organism.

The other cellular structures mentioned support different functions: the nucleus is primarily where mRNA is synthesized (transcription), the Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying and packaging proteins after they have been synthesized, and the lysosome is responsible for degradation and waste management within the cell. Therefore, the ribosome is uniquely suited for the specific