Nucleolus Flashcards
In most cells, what percentage of RNA is rRNA?
over 80%
What is rRNA?
ribosomal RNA
What does rRNA form?
the core of a ribosome
Why do cells require so much rRNA?
because most cells require ~10 million ribosomes in every generation
How many copies of each type of rRNA does each ribosome need?
one
T or F: nuclei only contain one nucleolus
False, some contain many nucleoli
T or F: the nucleolus is surrounded by a membrane and is considered a distinct organelle
false! it does not have a membrane and is not considered an organelle
What occurs in the nucleolus?
ribosome synthesis
Where is the nucleolus located?
it is the dark structure within the nucleus
Where are ribosomes synthesized?
in the nucleolus within the nucleus
What 3 things does the nucleolus contain in humans?
newly made ribosome subunits
newly made rRNA transcripts
DNA clusters from 5 different chromosomes where rRNA genes are present
How is so much rRNA produced?
the DNA sequences coding for rRNA are repeated hundreds of times throughout the genome in clusters
How many times are the DNA sequences for rRNA repeated?
hundreds of times throughout the genome in clusters
What are the 3 basic compartments of the nucleolus?
the granular component
the fibrillar center
the dense fibrillar components
Describe the granular component
a compartment of the nucleolus that holds ribosomes in the process of assembly
What structure makes up the bulk of the nucleolus?
the granular component
what 2 structures are within the granular component?
the fibrillar centre and the dense fibrillar component
Describe the fibrillar centre
a structure within the granular component of the nucleolus that holds the DNA with genes for rRNA
it is surrounded by the DFC
Describe dense fibrillar component
a structure within the granular component of the nucleolus that is the site of rDNA transcription to make rRNA
it surrounds the fibrillar centre
Where is the fibrillar centre located in relation to the dense fibrillar component?
the FC is surrounded by the DFC (hence the name: fibrillar CENTRE)
Where does transcription take place?
in the dense fibrillar component within the granular component of the nucleolus
What 2 components does a ribosome have?
a protein component made up of dozens of different proteins
an rRNA component
How many different proteins can make up the protein component of a ribosome?
dozens
Which of the 2 components of ribosomes is the predominate component? What is the ratio of the components?
the rRNA is predominant
65% rRNA to 35% protein
Which component of a ribosome is also the catalytic component?
rRNA
What is another word for a ribosome because of its catalytic activity?
the rRNA has catalytic activity which makes the ribosome a ribozyme
how many subunits make up a ribosome?
2 main ones
What are the 2 main subunits of a ribosome?
there is one large and one small
In eukaryotes, what are the 2 subunits?
60S large
40S small
In prokaryotes, what are the 2 subunits?
50S large
30S small
T or F: the composition of subunits in prokaryotic ribosomes is the same as eukaryotic ribosomes. Why/why not?
false
prokaryotes = 50S large and 30S small
eukaryotes = 60S large and 40S small
what does the S stand for in the ribosome subunit structure (50S, 30S, 60S, 40S)?
Sveldburg unit
What is the Sveldburg unit?
a measurement of the rate of sedimentation
What is the Sveldburg unit based on?
the sedimentation rate of a particle in an ultracentrifuge when placed in a tube with a density gradient of increasing sucrose content