If ribosomes in a cell stop working, the immediate result would be a halt in protein synthesis. Ribosomes are essential for translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins, which are crucial for many cellular functions and processes.
Without ribosomes, the cell would be unable to produce proteins from the mRNA that carries the genetic information needed for these proteins. This means that enzymes, structural proteins, and other vital molecules that the cell requires to function properly would not be made. As a result, the cell could not maintain its normal operations, leading to a variety of issues such as impairment of metabolism, loss of structural integrity, and the inability to respond to external signals.
In summary, ribosomes are critical for protein production, and their failure would immediately compromise the cell’s ability to carry out essential functions.