Where are ribosomes manufactured within the cell?

Ribosomes are primarily manufactured within the nucleolus, a specialized structure found inside the nucleus of the cell. The nucleolus is responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and combining it with proteins to form the subunits of ribosomes. Once these subunits are assembled, they are exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where they can join together to form functional ribosomes.

While ribosomes can often be found associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum, this is primarily a location where they perform protein synthesis rather than where they are made. Other cellular structures, such as lysosomes and the Golgi apparatus, have different roles and do not participate in ribosome production. Understanding the specific function of the nucleolus within the nucleus is essential to grasping how ribosomes are created and utilized in the cell.