rRNAs form the core structural and functional components of ribosomes, which consist of two subunits: a large subunit and a small subunit. In prokaryotes, the ribosome is made up of 16S rRNA in the small subunit and 23S and 5S rRNA in the large subunit. In eukaryotes, the ribosome consists of 18S rRNA in the small subunit and 28S, 5.8S, and 5S rRNA in the large subunit. These rRNAs fold into complex secondary and tertiary structures, providing scaffolding that supports the binding of ribosomal proteins and mRNA.
