Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess its own genetic material encoding proteins?

The nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are organelles that possess their own genetic material (DNA) capable of encoding proteins. The nucleus contains the cell's main genome, which serves as the primary information source for protein synthesis. Mitochondria contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within their matrix, which encodes essential proteins, rRNA, and tRNA [3]. Similarly, chloroplasts possess chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) that encodes various proteins involved in photosynthesis and ribosomal components [1]. In contrast, ribosomes are not membrane-bound organelles with their own genome; rather, they are the cellular machinery where protein synthesis occurs. While ribosomes contain ribosomal RNA (rRNA), they do not possess a self-replicating DNA genome that encodes their own proteins. Instead, the proteins that make up a ribosome are themselves encoded by the nuclear or organelle DNA and then assembled [1].

Sources

1. [3] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/organelles/
2. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.1 DO ORGANISMS CREATE EXACT COPIES OF THEMSEL THEMSELVES? > p. 113