Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

Where does ribosome synthesis and assembly occur inside the cell?

1. Rough endoplasmic reticulum

2. Golgi apparatus

3. Nucleolus

4. Mitochondria

The correct answer is: Nucleolus

Ribosome synthesis and assembly specifically occur in the nucleolus, which is a dense structure found within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The nucleolus is crucial in the production of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and in combining it with ribosomal proteins to form the subunits of ribosomes. These assembled subunits are essential for protein synthesis, as they serve as the site where messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into proteins. While other cellular structures play roles in the broader context of protein synthesis, such as the rough endoplasmic reticulum that is involved in the actual translation of mRNA into proteins, the initial synthesis and assembly of ribosomal components take place in the nucleolus. The Golgi apparatus is primarily involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids, while mitochondria are responsible for energy production. This helps clarify why the nucleolus is the critical site for ribosome synthesis and assembly.