USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the USA Biology Olympiad with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Synthesize lipids
Conduct cellular respiration
Synthesize proteins
Digest foreign substances

The correct answer is: Synthesize proteins

Ribosomes play a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis within a cell. They are the molecular machines that translate messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences into polypeptide chains, effectively assembling amino acids in the specific order dictated by the mRNA. This process, known as translation, occurs in the cytoplasm, where ribosomes can either be found floating freely or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum, forming rough ER. Understanding the importance of ribosomes in protein synthesis highlights their centrality in cellular function, as proteins are essential for numerous biological processes, including structural support, enzymes for metabolic reactions, and signaling molecules. Thus, ribosomes are integral to a cell's ability to produce the proteins necessary for life.