Final answer:
Cells with large numbers of ribosomes specialize in producing proteins due to the role of ribosomes in translating mRNA into proteins. These include cells that produce digestive enzymes or extensive extracellular matrix.
Step-by-step explanation:
Large numbers of ribosomes are present in cells that specialize in producing proteins. This is because ribosomes are essential for the process of translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins by linking amino acids in the order specified by the mRNA. Proteins play a multitude of roles in cells, including acting as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules. Given their role in protein synthesis, it is no surprise that cells involved in high rates of protein production, such as pancreatic cells producing digestive enzymes or cells producing extracellular matrix proteins, contain an abundance of ribosomes.
For example, the pancreas produces several digestive enzymes, and the cells responsible for this contain many ribosomes. Similarly, cells producing extensive extracellular matrix would be expected to synthesize large amounts of proteins, necessitating a significant number of ribosomes to carry out this function.