TOTALLY TINY, BUT TOTALLY IMPORTANT
Ribosomes are the protein builders of the cell. When they build proteins, scientists say that they SYNTHESIZE the proteins. Ribosomes are found either floating around in the CYTOPLASM or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). The floating ribosomes synthesize proteins that will be used inside the cell. The ribosomes attached to the ER make proteins that will be used inside the cell AND sent outside the cell.

MAKING THE PROTEINS

Ribosomes are a totally important factor in the creation of proteins. When the cell needs to create proteins, something called mRNA is created in the nucleus. mRNA stands for MESSENGER RNA. The mRNA is sent from the nucleus to the ribosome. Normally the ribosome is in two parts called the small and large SUBUNITS. When it is time to make a protein, the two pieces come together.

ONE AMINO ACID AT A TIME
When the two subunits come together it's like two pieces of a bun and then you slide the hot dog inside. It starts with mRNA combining with the small subunit. Then, with tRNA (TRANSFER RNA), the large subunit connects to the small subunit. Once all of the pieces have combined, the two subunits create proteins one amino acid at a time.