What do ribosomes synthesize within cells?

Ribosomes are essential cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins. They perform this function by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences into polypeptide chains. During this process, ribosomes read the codons on the mRNA, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. The ribosome facilitates the formation of peptide bonds between these amino acids, effectively assembling them into a protein.

The process begins when the ribosome binds to mRNA, and transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, carrying amino acids, bring the correct amino acids to the ribosome based on the sequence of codons. This synthesis occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, making ribosomes a fundamental component of all living organisms.

Understanding the role of ribosomes is crucial in the study of molecular biology as they are key players in gene expression and are directly involved in the process of creating the proteins that determine the structure and function of cells.