Which statement describes a cell process common to both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

The correct statement highlights that both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells utilize ribosomes to carry out the process of translation, which is essential for protein synthesis. Ribosomes are vital cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. This process occurs in both types of cells but takes place in different cellular locations; in prokaryotic cells, translation occurs in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotic cells, it can occur in the cytoplasm or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Other options refer to processes or cellular structures specific to either eukaryotes or prokaryotes. For example, transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells but takes place directly in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells, which lack a defined nucleus. The assembly of amino acids is part of protein synthesis that occurs during translation, not transcription, making the wording in the option misleading. The endoplasmic reticulum is a structure found only in eukaryotic cells; prokaryotic cells do not possess this organelle, making that aspect incorrect for prokaryotes. Thus, the most accurate description of a shared cellular process is that both