What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Ribosomes are responsible for translating mRNA into proteins, a process known as protein synthesis.

Ribosomes are tiny structures within cells that play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis. They are essentially the factories of the cell, where the instructions for building proteins are carried out. This process is vital for the growth, repair and maintenance of cells within an organism.

Protein synthesis begins in the cell's nucleus, where DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then travels out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where it binds to a ribosome. The ribosome reads the sequence of codons (groups of three nucleotides) on the mRNA, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid.

The ribosome then recruits transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which carry the appropriate amino acids. The tRNA molecules match their anticodon sequence to the codon on the mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain. This process continues until the ribosome reaches a stop codon on the mRNA, signalling the end of the protein.

In this way, ribosomes act as the site of protein synthesis, translating the genetic code from the mRNA into a sequence of amino acids to form a protein. This process is fundamental to the functioning of all living cells, as proteins carry out a wide range of functions within organisms, from catalysing metabolic reactions to responding to stimuli and providing structure to cells and tissues.