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Ribosomes that function in clusters are referred to as what?

  1. Polysomes

  2. Ribosomal structures

  3. Protein synapses

  4. Centrioles

The correct answer is: Polysomes

Ribosomes that function in clusters are indeed referred to as polysomes. Polysomes, also known as polyribosomes, are formed when multiple ribosomes simultaneously translate a single mRNA molecule. This allows for the efficient synthesis of proteins, as several copies of the same protein can be produced at once from the same mRNA strand. This organization enhances the rate of protein production, enabling the cell to meet its needs for specific proteins rapidly. Understanding the structure and function of ribosomes helps highlight their crucial role in protein synthesis. Each ribosome within a polysome translates the mRNA at a slightly different point, leading to multiple identical polypeptide chains being formed concurrently. This is a key feature of cellular machinery related to protein production, and it underscores the efficiency of the ribosomal function in cellular processes.