What is the primary role of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis, which is essential for various cellular functions. They are responsible for assembling amino acids into proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences into polypeptide chains. This process occurs in two main stages: transcription (where DNA is transcribed into mRNA) and translation (where ribosomes read the mRNA and link amino acids together in the correct order).

While options like the synthesis of DNA, storage of genetic information, and replication of genetic material are all important cellular processes, they are functions attributed to other cellular components. DNA synthesis occurs in the nucleus with the help of DNA polymerases, genetic information is stored and organized within the cell’s DNA, and replication involves enzymes like helicase and DNA polymerase to duplicate the genetic material. Ribosomes are specifically designed for the assembly of proteins, making this option the most accurate representation of their primary function.