What is a characteristic of prokaryotic ribosomes?

Prokaryotic ribosomes are indeed involved in protein synthesis, which is their primary function. Ribosomes are the cellular machinery responsible for translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, leading to the formation of proteins. In prokaryotes, ribosomes are smaller than those found in eukaryotes, with a sedimentation rate of 70S, compared to the 80S ribosomes of eukaryotic cells. This significant role in protein synthesis is crucial for the growth and metabolism of prokaryotic organisms, allowing them to produce the proteins necessary for various cellular functions.

The other attributes mentioned in the options do not apply to prokaryotic ribosomes. For instance, prokaryotic ribosomes are not membrane-bound, as they exist freely in the cytoplasm, contributing to the efficiency of protein production. Additionally, they are not larger than eukaryotic ribosomes and are not directly involved in genetic replication, which occurs within the nucleoid region and involves different cellular structures and processes.