Question

A sample of crushed onion cells were centrifuged in a test tube. Cells and cell components have separated into layers as illustrated below. Which layer contains the greatest concentration of organelles that act as the sites for protein synthesis?

a) Top Layer
b) Middle Layer
c) Bottom Layer
d) All Layers Equally

Answer 1

The bottom layer of the centrifuged tube is expected to contain the highest concentration of ribosomes, which are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The layer that contains the greatest concentration of organelles that act as the sites for protein synthesis would be the bottom layer (c). During centrifugation, the organelles within the cells separate based on their mass. Ribosomes, which are responsible for protein synthesis, are relatively dense and will pellet at the bottom of the centrifuge tube. Therefore, after centrifugation, the bottom layer is expected to have the highest concentration of ribosomes.