During protein synthesis, what role does rRNA play?

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis, particularly in the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids. During translation, rRNA is a structural component of the ribosome, which is the cellular machinery responsible for synthesizing proteins. The ribosome consists of two subunits, both comprised of rRNA and proteins, and it facilitates the binding of transfer RNA (tRNA), which carries amino acids to the ribosome.

When the ribosome assembles around the mRNA strand, the rRNA within the ribosome catalyzes the reaction that forms peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids. This enzymatic activity is essential for creating long chains of amino acids, which fold into functional proteins. The ability of rRNA to catalyze this essential step is an example of ribozymes, molecules of RNA that have catalytic properties, highlighting the role of rRNA in the broader context of molecular biology and protein synthesis.

The other choices represent functions that are not performed by rRNA:

• Transporting amino acids is the function of transfer RNA (tRNA).

• Transcribing DNA is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA) and not rRNA.

• Acting as a template for protein folding is not a function