The main function of ribosomes in a cell is to synthesize proteins. Ribosomes serve as the site of translation, where the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) is read and translated into a specific sequence of amino acids. These amino acids then fold into functional proteins essential for various cellular functions, including enzymatic activity, structural roles, and signaling. Ribosomes can be found free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, contributing to the synthesis of both cytoplasmic and membrane-bound proteins.