Differences Between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Ribosomes

What are the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes in terms of size and mass?

Which statement about ribosomes is correct? Prokaryotic ribosomes are larger than eukaryotic ribosomes. Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes are same in size. Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than prokaryotic ribosomes are.

Answer:

Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than prokaryotic ribosomes are.

When comparing eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes, there are differences in size and mass that differentiate the two types. Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than prokaryotic ribosomes because eukaryotic ribosomes possess a mass of 4200 kd on account of being 80S particles. In contrast, prokaryotic ribosomes only possess a mass of 2700 kd on account of being 70S particles.

This clear distinction in mass indicates that eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes are not the same size. Contrary to one statement, prokaryotic ribosomes are actually smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes, not larger as initially mentioned.