Bacterial ribosomes are essential cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis in bacteria. They are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, forming two subunits: the large 50S subunit and the small 30S subunit. Together, these subunits translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins. Unlike eukaryotic ribosomes, bacterial ribosomes are smaller and have a different composition, making them a target for certain antibiotics. These antibiotics, such as streptomycin and tetracycline, selectively inhibit bacterial ribosomes, disrupting protein synthesis and effectively treating bacterial infections.