Final answer:
Ribosomes can be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum, and they are crucial for protein synthesis in cells.The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ribosomes may be either free within the cytoplasm or bound to a membrane system known as the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Ribosomes are vital cellular structures for protein synthesis. Free ribosomes float in the cytoplasm, creating water-soluble proteins.
Meanwhile, membrane-bound ribosomes are attached to the rough ER and synthesize proteins meant for the cell membrane or for export. It's worth noting that the ER can be either rough, with ribosomes, or smooth without them.
Ribosomes are also found in prokaryotic cells and have their own ribosomes that are more akin to those in mitochondria and chloroplasts than the nuclear ribosomes in the same cell.The correct option is A.