What is the primary function of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes play a critical role in the process of protein synthesis, which is essential for the growth, repair, and functioning of cells. They are complex molecular machines found either floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER). The primary function of ribosomes is to translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, ultimately leading to the formation of proteins.

During translation, ribosomes read the sequence of the mRNA, which contains the code that determines the specific order of amino acids in a protein. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, where they are joined together in the correct order to form a polypeptide. This process is essential because proteins serve a wide range of functions in the cell, including acting as enzymes, hormones, structural components, and more.

Other options represent different cellular processes. Energy production typically occurs in mitochondria. DNA replication is carried out by specific enzymes prior to cell division, and cell division itself involves complex processes such as mitosis or meiosis, involving a suite of different cellular structures and proteins, none of which directly represent the primary function of ribosomes. Thus, the primary role of ribosomes in a