What is the main advantage of polyribosomes?

What is the main advantage of polyribosomes?

• A. Decreases energy use
• B. Increases rate of protein synthesis
• C. Slows down translation
• D. Protects mRNA from degradation

Answer: (B)

Polyribosomes boost how fast a cell can make protein by translating a single mRNA with multiple ribosomes at once. Each ribosome holds the mRNA and builds a polypeptide, so when many ribosomes are racing along the same transcript, you get several copies of the protein being produced in parallel. That parallel translation raises the overall rate of protein synthesis per mRNA, which is the main advantage. The idea that this arrangement saves energy or slows translation isn’t accurate—the output is increased production, not reduced energy per amino acid added, and translation is not slowed by having multiple ribosomes. While bound ribosomes can offer some protection to the mRNA, the key benefit is the higher product yield from simultaneous translation.

Polyribosomes boost how fast a cell can make protein by translating a single mRNA with multiple ribosomes at once. Each ribosome holds the mRNA and builds a polypeptide, so when many ribosomes are racing along the same transcript, you get several copies of the protein being produced in parallel. That parallel translation raises the overall rate of protein synthesis per mRNA, which is the main advantage. The idea that this arrangement saves energy or slows translation isn’t accurate—the output is increased production, not reduced energy per amino acid added, and translation is not slowed by having multiple ribosomes. While bound ribosomes can offer some protection to the mRNA, the key benefit is the higher product yield from simultaneous translation.