What process do ribosomes primarily facilitate?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the fundamental biological process of protein synthesis, which is the assembly of amino acids into proteins based on the genetic instructions carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). During protein synthesis, ribosomes read the sequence of codons on the mRNA and recruit the corresponding transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules that carry specific amino acids. This process involves two main phases: transcription, where the DNA is transcribed into mRNA, and translation, where the ribosome translates the mRNA sequence into a polypeptide chain, eventually folding into a functional protein.

The role of ribosomes is central to this process because they provide the site for the interaction between mRNA and tRNA, facilitating the correct assembly of amino acids in the order specified by the mRNA. This is vital for the expression of genes and the production of proteins that perform a myriad of functions within living organisms, from structural roles to enzymatic activity.

Lipid synthesis involves different cellular machinery, such as endoplasmic reticulum and enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. DNA replication occurs in the nucleus involving DNA polymerase and various other proteins dedicated to copying the genetic material and is not facilitated by ribosomes. Cell division is a complex process that involves multiple steps and various