What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis within a cell. These small structures can be found either floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, forming what is known as rough ER. Ribosomes are responsible for translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into amino acid sequences, effectively building proteins based on the genetic code stored in DNA.

During translation, ribosomes read the sequence of the mRNA and facilitate the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide chain, which will eventually fold into a functional protein. This process is vital for various cellular functions, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, providing structural support, and regulating cellular processes. The ability of ribosomes to synthesize proteins is fundamental to the growth, repair, and maintenance of cells.

Other options, such as the storage of genetic information, energy production, and cell division, refer to different cellular functions that are not associated with ribosomes. Genetic information is primarily stored in the nucleus in the form of DNA, energy production is largely conducted by mitochondria, and cell division involves processes like mitosis and cytokinesis, which occur in various structures and proteins, but not in ribosomes.