What is a crucial cellular structure that must be included in an artificial cell for minimal essential functions?

The inclusion of ribosomes in an artificial cell is essential for carrying out fundamental biological functions. Ribosomes are the molecular machines responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. Since proteins play a vital role in various cellular processes, including enzymatic reactions, structural support, and signaling, the presence of ribosomes is crucial for the cell to maintain its functionality.

In the context of an artificial cell, without ribosomes, the cell would be unable to produce proteins, leading to a lack of necessary macromolecules for cellular operation. This would hinder metabolic processes and the overall maintenance of cellular structure and function. Hence, ribosomes are indispensable for minimal essential functions in any cell, artificial or otherwise.

While other components such as mitochondria, the nucleus, and the cell membrane are important for specific functions and structural integrity, ribosomes are the fundamental machinery required for protein synthesis, making them a critical component for basic cellular activity.