Physicochemical characteristics of ribosomes in relation to cell aging.

Red cells from 13 day old chicken embryo and adult chicken were found to have different types of ribosomes. - Those ribosomes were isolated and after purified through sucrose gradient centrifugations. The ribosomes showed - a different U.V. spectra as well as different stability to - certain ions and ionic strengths. The protein: RNA ratio of adult ribosomes was altered and the accesibility of these ribosomes to RNase activity was also different. From these data it is suggested that the structure of the ribosomes is alterated during the process of red cell maturation.