Final answer:
A ribosome-deficient cell cannot properly perform translation, which is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cell that is deficient in ribosomes is unable to complete the process of translation. During translation, ribosomes synthesize proteins by reading the genetic information coded in messenger RNA (mRNA). This process involves assembling amino acids into proteins according to the sequence of codons present in the mRNA. Without a sufficient number of functioning ribosomes, a cell cannot effectively translate mRNA into protein, which can lead to various hereditary and age-related diseases due to the production of incorrect or incomplete proteins.