What is the primary role of ribosomes in cells?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in protein synthesis within cells, which is accurately described in the selected choice. They are molecular machines that facilitate the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, essentially constructing proteins based on the genetic code conveyed by the mRNA. This process involves the ribosome reading the sequence of codons in the mRNA and linking together the appropriate amino acids in the specified order, forming a protein.

The synthesis of proteins is vital for numerous cellular functions, as proteins are involved in virtually all cellular processes, including enzymatic reactions, structural support, and signaling pathways. Thus, the primary function of ribosomes centers around their role in translating genetic information into functional proteins, underscoring their importance in maintaining cellular activities and overall organismal health.