Question

6. Ribosomes contain a mixture of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal proteins. In most cases, any particular rRNA or ribosomal protein is represented once in a mature ribosome. Yet each type of rRNA is coded in eukaryotes by more than 100 gene copies per genome, and in contrast ribosomal proteins are single copy per genome (2 copies per diploid individual). Explain how eukaryotes can produce the same number of ribosomal RNAs and ribosomal proteins (needed in 1:1 ratio for ribosomes), given this disparity in gene copy number.

Answer 1

This phenomenon occurs because the expression is higher for genes encoding ribosomal proteins in order to balance the number of ribosomal proteins that are present in the cell with the ribosomal RNA level