Which organelle is chiefly responsible for protein synthesis in the cell?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option B
The ribosomes are the cellular organelles primarily responsible for protein synthesis, as they translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. This function is critical because proteins form the structural and enzymatic foundation of all cellular processes. Unlike other organelles, ribosomes directly assemble amino acids into proteins by reading the genetic code. Understanding ribosomal function is essential in clinical contexts such as antibiotic targeting, where drugs inhibit bacterial ribosomes without affecting human ribosomes. This specificity underpins treatments for bacterial infections without harming human cells.
Reference: Robbins Basic Pathology, Kumar Vinay et al., 10th Edition.