What role do ribosomes play during translation?

Ribosomes play a crucial role during translation by assembling amino acids into proteins. This process occurs after the synthesis of mRNA, which carries the genetic instructions from DNA. Ribosomes are made up of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins and function as the site where the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is translated into a specific sequence of amino acids, building a polypeptide chain.

During translation, ribosomes facilitate the binding of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which each carry a specific amino acid. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, it ensures that the appropriate tRNA, with the corresponding anticodon that matches the mRNA codons, binds to the ribosome. This helps in adding the correct amino acids in the right order to form a protein.

The other roles mentioned in the options do not pertain to ribosomes. DNA replication and RNA synthesis are performed by other enzymes and polymerases, while the modification of proteins occurs in various cellular locations after synthesis, primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, rather than by the ribosomes themselves. Thus, the primary function of ribosomes during translation is to facilitate the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide, effectively forming