In the context of translation, what is the primary function of a ribosome in the cell?

• A. It transports newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus in vesicles.
• B. It replicates DNA by adding complementary nucleotides to a growing DNA strand.
• C. It generates ATP by pumping protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane during oxidative phosphorylation.
• D. It synthesizes a polypeptide by reading mRNA codons and catalyzing peptide bond formation between amino acids delivered by tRNAs.

Answer: (D)