The ribosomes can be scattered in the cytoplasm or present on the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum _________

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Ribosomes**: Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins. They can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

2. **Location of Ribosomes**: Ribosomes can be found in two main locations:
- Scattered freely in the cytoplasm.
- Attached to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

3. **Types of Endoplasmic Reticulum**: The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle found only in eukaryotic cells and comes in two forms:
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): This type has ribosomes attached to its surface, giving it a "rough" appearance.
- Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): This type does not have ribosomes on its surface.

4. **Conclusion**: The statement in the question is true because ribosomes are indeed found scattered in the cytoplasm and are also present on the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

**Final Answer**: The statement is true.

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