Final answer:
Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for translating mRNA into specific sequences of amino acids to form proteins. They contain two subunits and are found in almost every cell, particularly where large amounts of protein are synthesized, such as in pancreatic cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ribosomes are essential cellular structures that play a critical role in protein synthesis. These complexes are composed of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), comprising a large and a small subunit. When observed using electron microscopy, ribosomes can appear as single particles or in clusters known as polyribosomes, floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum or the plasma membrane.
Ribosomes receive their instructions from messenger RNA (mRNA), which is transcribed from DNA within the nucleus. The mRNA travels to the ribosomes, which then translate the sequence of nitrogenous bases in the mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids, thus forming a protein. Since proteins play various critical roles such as acting as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, ribosomes are found in nearly every cell, especially in cells that produce large amounts of protein, such as in the pancreas, which creates several digestive enzymes.
From the options given, B. ribosomes aid in protein synthesis is the correct function of ribosomes. They are not responsible for cell movement, for protecting the cell from its environment, or for digestion, which are functions of other cellular structures and organelles.