Describe, in general terms, the structural components of ribosomes, including a brief explanation of their function. Explain whether ribosomes are present only in eukaryotes, only in prokaryotes, or in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

Structurally, the ribosome comprises of two major parts: The small ribosomal units and the large ribosomal units. Each unit contains ribosomal Ribonucleic acid molecules, which is usually one or more than one called rRNA. Each unit also contain ribosomal protein, rproteins. Each of these components are very important for the translation of messenger RNA into proteins encoded by the RNA.

Explanation:

The ribosome and its components are generally referred to as translational apparatus. The small subunit of the ribosome is effective in reading the codes encoded on the mRNA, which. The large subunit is needed to actually join the amino acids needed to form the right protein (or polypeptides). The proteins within the ribosome is used to act as a scaffold that only aid the ribosome ability to form polypeptides.

Since both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are constantly forming proteins using the amino acids they accumulated through nutrition, therefore, both groups possess ribosome. However, the percentage of rRNA and protein in each group differs. For prokaryotes, the rRNA to protein ratio is close to 2, while in eukaryotes like human is close to one.