What role does the mass of the central body play in an elliptic orbit?

The mass of the central body in an elliptical orbit plays a critical role in determining the gravitational pull exerted on the orbiting body, thereby affecting its orbital period. According to Kepler's Third Law, the orbital period squared is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis, moderated by the mass of the central body. Hence, a more massive central body results in a stronger gravitational pull, affecting how quickly an orbiting body moves through its orbit.