Final answer:
The nucleoli are composed of proteins and ribosomal RNA, and their function is to synthesize and assemble ribosomal subunits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nucleoli are composed of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Their primary function is to synthesize ribosomal subunits, which combine with rRNA to form ribosomes. The nucleoli are responsible for assembling the subunits of the ribosomes, which are organelles made of protein and rRNA. Ribosomes play a crucial role in protein synthesis in the cytoplasm.