What is the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the cell?

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a crucial role in the cellular machinery by forming the core structural and functional components of ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis in the cell. Ribosomes are made of both ribosomal RNA and proteins, with rRNA providing the framework that helps maintain the ribosome’s structure. This structural role is essential for the proper assembly of ribosomal subunits and is vital for their function during translation, where mRNA is decoded to synthesize proteins.

The involvement of rRNA in the catalytic activity of ribosomes further highlights its importance. It helps in facilitating the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids, making it an integral player in the protein synthesis process. This function underscores rRNA’s key role within the ribosome beyond merely serving as a structural component.

In contrast, the other options identify functions that are related to different types of RNA. For instance, transfer RNA (tRNA) carries amino acids to the ribosome, messenger RNA (mRNA) encodes genetic information and provides the template for translation, and the transcription of DNA is carried out by another type of RNA polymerase and involves mRNA as well. Thus, while all these RNA types contribute to cellular functions, rRNA's primary and