A cell culture is found to have very high levels of proteins. What does this tell you about the cells?

Question

Responses

They have a higher than average amount of cytoplasm.
They have a higher than average amount of cytoplasm.

They have a strengthened cell membrane due to cholesterol content.
They have a strengthened cell membrane due to cholesterol content.

They have the ability to make ATP.
They have the ability to make ATP.

They have ribosomes.

Answer 1

High levels of proteins in a cell culture primarily suggest that the cells have a high level of protein synthesis. This is often indicative of an increased number of ribosomes, as ribosomes are the cellular machinery responsible for assembling amino acids into proteins.

So, the most accurate response in this context is:

They have ribosomes.

While the presence of ribosomes can facilitate higher protein production, the other statements regarding cytoplasm, cholesterol content of the membrane, or ATP production are less directly related to the observed high protein levels.