What is the size classification of eukaryotic ribosomes?

Eukaryotic ribosomes are classified as 80s ribosomes, which is the correct answer. This classification refers to the sedimentation coefficient, a measure of how quickly particles settle in a centrifuge, indicated in Svedberg units (S).

Eukaryotic ribosomes are composed of two subunits: the larger subunit, which is 60s, and the smaller subunit, which is 40s. Together, they combine to form the functional 80s ribosome during protein synthesis. The combination of the subunits allows for a more complex structure capable of handling the intricate processes of translation found in eukaryotic cells.

In contrast, prokaryotic ribosomes are classified as 70s, which includes a 50s large subunit and a 30s small subunit. This difference in size and structure between eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes is significant and reflects the evolutionary divergence between these two types of cells.