What does the ribosome do during translation?

Choosing the process of translation, the ribosome plays a crucial role by assembling amino acids into a polypeptide chain. During this process, the ribosome reads the sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA) and facilitates the binding of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules that carry specific amino acids. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, it catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between the amino acids, thus elongating the polypeptide chain according to the genetic instructions encoded in the mRNA. This sequential addition of amino acids ultimately leads to the formation of functional proteins, which are essential for numerous biological roles in the organism.

Other options involve different cellular processes that do not reflect the specific role of ribosomes in translation. For instance, copying DNA to RNA refers to the process of transcription, which occurs in the nucleus and involves RNA polymerase rather than ribosomes. The degradation of unnecessary mRNA is related to mRNA turnover mechanisms, such as splicing and decay, which are carried out by ribonucleases and other factors rather than ribosomes themselves. Additionally, protein modification happens post-translationally, often in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus, rather than during the translation process. Therefore, the rib