What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes are essential cellular structures that play a critical role in the process of protein synthesis. They are often referred to as the "protein factories" of the cell. Ribosomes translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins. This process involves reading the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA and linking the appropriate amino acids together in the correct order, which is vital for building proteins that perform various functions within the organism, such as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules. This makes ribosomes integral to the cell's ability to produce the proteins necessary for life.

In contrast, while energy production is primarily the role of mitochondria, cell division involves other structures like the spindle fibers and centrioles, and storage of materials is typically managed by vacuoles or vesicles. Therefore, the primary function associated with ribosomes is indeed protein synthesis.