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What is 80s ribosomes.

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Solution

Eukaryotic ribosomes are called 80s ribosomes.

Ribosomes are a large and complex molecular machine that catalyzes the synthesis of proteins, referred to as translation.

Ribosomes are classified in terms of sedimentation coefficients, in svedberg units.
Ribosomes are small particles seen inside cells. We know, particles mixed with liquid will settle when left freely , a process called sedimentation. Similarly , ribosomes also settle when left freely in a liquid, just lilke other solid particles. The rate at which a particle settles is measured and is called sedimentation coefficient. A particle that settles faster has a higher coefficient, while particle that settles slower has lower value. The unit of this sedimentation coefficient is 's' or svedberg units.

So, 80s are ribosomes with sedimentation coefficient 80 svedberg units. They are seen in eukaryotes.
70s are ribosomes in prokaryotes. Prokaryotic ribosomes settle slower than eukaryotic ribosomes, so, their value, 70, is lower than that of eukaryotic ribosome(80).

So, donot let this bother you. Its just the sedimentation coefficients expressed in a unit, just like how length is expressed in meters


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