Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes a ribozyme?

a) it is a catalyst that uses rna as a substrate.
b) it is an rna with catalytic activity.
c) it is an enzyme that catalyzes the association between the large and small ribosomal subunits.
d) it is an enzyme that synthesizes rna as part of the transcription process.

Answer 1

A ribozyme is an RNA molecule with enzymatic activity, capable of catalyzing chemical reactions, notably including peptide bond formation during protein synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that correctly describes a ribozyme is b) it is an RNA with catalytic activity. Ribozymes are unique molecules because they are constructed from RNA and have enzymatic properties, enabling them to catalyze chemical reactions. Unlike traditional enzymes which are composed of proteins, ribozymes are RNA molecules that perform a vital role in various biological processes, including RNA processing and peptide bond formation during protein synthesis. An example of ribozyme activity is seen within the ribosome, where the rRNA is responsible for the peptidyl transferase activity that forms peptide bonds between amino acids, a key step in the synthesis of proteins.

The correct statement that describes a ribozyme is:

b) it is an RNA with catalytic activity.

Ribozymes are RNA molecules that have the ability to catalyze chemical reactions, similar to enzymes. They are involved in various cellular processes, including the processing of newly transcribed RNA. Ribozymes play a crucial role in protein synthesis by facilitating the assembly of amino acids into polypeptide chains.