Final answer:
Ribosomes would be most affected without amino acids because they are essential for protein synthesis. Since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, their absence would render ribosomes nonfunctional, disrupting various cellular processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organelle that would be most likely affected in the absence of amino acids is the ribosome. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, which is the process of translating genetic information into proteins. Without amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, ribosomes would be unable to perform their function. Proteins synthesized by ribosomes are involved in various cellular processes and can be used within the cell or transported by the Golgi apparatus to other parts of the cell or be secreted out of the cell.
A key component of ribosomes is ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which is synthesized in the nucleolus. If the nucleolus is unable to function, the production of rRNA would be affected, which in turn impedes the formation of ribosomes. In eukaryotic cells, DNA, the genetic material, is found in the nucleus, and ribosomes can be free within the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), forming part of the protein synthesis and transport pathway. The synthesis of ribosomes itself takes place in the nucleolus. Therefore, the nucleolus is essential for the formation of ribosomes.
Without amino acids, ribosomes cannot synthesize proteins, which would significantly disrupt cellular function. Ribosomes depend on the rRNA produced in the nucleolus, further highlighting the interconnectedness of cellular organelles.