What is the primary function of ribosomes in cells?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the cellular process of protein synthesis, which is fundamental for the functioning, growth, and repair of cells. They are the molecular machines that translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins. This process occurs in two main steps: transcription, where the DNA sequence is transcribed into mRNA, and translation, where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and assemble the corresponding amino acids into proteins.

This function is vital because proteins serve various roles within the cell, including serving as enzymes, structural components, signaling molecules, and transporters. The ability of ribosomes to accurately construct proteins based on the genetic instructions is essential for maintaining cellular activities and responding to changes in the environment.