Which component of the ribosome catalyzes peptide bond formation?

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Multiple Choice

Which component of the ribosome catalyzes peptide bond formation?

Explanation:
Peptide bond formation is driven by the ribosome’s own RNA, not its proteins. The catalytic site—the peptidyl transferase center—resides in the large subunit’s ribosomal RNA and directly catalyzes the chemical condensation that links the growing polypeptide on the P-site tRNA to the amino group of the A-site tRNA. This RNA-based catalysis is why ribosomes are considered ribozymes. The mRNA simply provides the genetic template for the sequence, and the tRNAs bring the correct amino acids, but neither acts as the catalyst. DNA isn’t involved in this translation step.

Peptide bond formation is driven by the ribosome’s own RNA, not its proteins. The catalytic site—the peptidyl transferase center—resides in the large subunit’s ribosomal RNA and directly catalyzes the chemical condensation that links the growing polypeptide on the P-site tRNA to the amino group of the A-site tRNA. This RNA-based catalysis is why ribosomes are considered ribozymes. The mRNA simply provides the genetic template for the sequence, and the tRNAs bring the correct amino acids, but neither acts as the catalyst. DNA isn’t involved in this translation step.

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