What is the major function of ribosomes in cells?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis, which is essential for various cellular functions and overall organismal development. These small structures can be found either freely floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, forming what is known as rough ER. Their primary function is to translate messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins.

The ribosome operates as a site where amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are linked together in the sequence dictated by the mRNA. The ribosome essentially reads the sequence of codons on the mRNA and facilitates the addition of the corresponding amino acids in the correct order. This process is vital because proteins serve as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules, and perform nearly every task within a cell.

In contrast, lipid synthesis, energy production, and cell division are functions carried out by other cellular structures and processes. For instance, lipid synthesis occurs mainly in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum; energy production involves mitochondria where cellular respiration takes place, and cell division processes are governed by mechanisms involving the nucleus and various proteins that orchestrate the cell cycle. Therefore, ribosomes are specifically specialized for protein synthesis, unders