Which of the following is NOT a function of ribosomes?

Ribosomes play a crucial role in protein synthesis, which includes translating mRNA, synthesizing proteins, and assembling amino acids into polypeptides. Their primary function is to facilitate the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences into chains of amino acids, ultimately forming proteins.

Generating ATP is not a function of ribosomes. ATP production occurs primarily in mitochondria (in eukaryotic cells) through cellular respiration and in chloroplasts during photosynthesis in plants. Ribosomes are primarily involved in the translation process and do not have any enzymatic activity related to energy production like ATP synthesis. This distinction highlights that ribosomes are specialized for their role in biology, focusing on protein synthesis rather than energy metabolism.