The 50S subunit is one of the two components that make up the ribosome in prokaryotic cells, the other being the 30S subunit. Together, these subunits play a crucial role in protein synthesis by facilitating the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. The 50S subunit is larger and contains ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins that help in forming peptide bonds between amino acids. In addition to its role in translation, the 50S subunit is involved in the binding of transfer RNA (tRNA) during protein synthesis. It ensures that the correct amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain, contributing to the overall efficiency and accuracy of protein production in cells.