Ask a Teacher

Does the ribosomes have a membrane surrounding it?or is it a non- membrane bound cell organelle?

Ribosomes are unique structures that translate the DNA code via messenger RNA (mRNA) into actual proteins that cells use for processes. Ribosomes are different from other organelles because they have no membrane around them that separates them from other organelles, they consist of two subunits, and when they are producing certain proteins they can become membrane bound to the endoplasmic reticulum, but they can also be free floating while performing their function.