What do ribosomes consist of?

Ribosomes are cellular organelles primarily composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. The correct answer highlights this dual composition. Ribosomal RNA is essential for the ribosome's structural framework and plays a critical role in protein synthesis. The proteins associated with ribosomes help stabilize the ribosomal structure and facilitate the assembly and function of the ribosome during protein translation.

This complex of rRNA and proteins forms the ribosomes that exist either freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, depending on the type of cell and its activities. Understanding that ribosomes are not made of DNA, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, or nucleotides clarifies the fundamental role of these organelles in the broader context of cellular function and protein synthesis.