What is the main function of ribosomes in the cell?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis, which is also known as translation. They are the cellular machinery where amino acids are assembled into proteins based on the instructions encoded in the mRNA (messenger RNA). During this process, ribosomes read the sequence of codons in the mRNA, each of which specifies a particular amino acid. The ribosomes facilitate the binding of tRNA (transfer RNA) molecules that bring specific amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain, ultimately forming a protein.

This function is vital for cellular activities, as proteins are fundamental to the structure and function of all living cells, enabling a wide variety of biological processes including enzyme activity, signaling, and immune responses. Hence, the central role of ribosomes in synthesizing proteins underlines their importance in cellular function and metabolism.