What is the primary function of ribosomes?

The primary function of ribosomes is to synthesize proteins. Ribosomes are essential cellular structures that facilitate the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, which are then folded into functional proteins. This process occurs through the decoding of the genetic information carried by mRNA, with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and various proteins coming together to form the ribosome.

During translation, the ribosome reads the sequence of codons in the mRNA, and with the help of transfer RNA (tRNA), it assembles the corresponding amino acids into a growing polypeptide chain. This function is crucial because proteins play a vital role in nearly all cellular processes, serving as enzymes, structural components, signaling molecules, and more. Without ribosomes, cells would not be able to produce proteins necessary for growth, repair, and regulation, underscoring their fundamental role in cell biology.