Question #a47c4

1 Answer
Feb 13, 2018

The information provided tells us that the ricin binds to the rRNA, which in turn disables its function.

The first question we should ask ourselves is: What is rRNA?
rRNA is the ribosomal RNA. This RNA makes up the ribosomes.

The next question is: What do the ribosomes do?
The ribosomes are responsible for the protein synthesis within the cell.

What does this mean for the cell?
Well it means that the cell can not produce proteins anymore, the very proteins that are needed for virtually every function within the cell.

It follows from this that the cell would die, as the current proteins would eventually degrade and be removed, whilst no new proteins are made.