Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain ribosomes. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, or the process by which cells create proteins from amino acids. Protein synthesis is essential for cell growth, repair, and reproduction.

Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells differ in their structure and organization. Prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes, and they are located in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger and are found in the cytoplasm as well as on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).