During translation, RNA is converted into what?

During translation, the primary function is to synthesize proteins from messenger RNA (mRNA). This process occurs in the ribosome, where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) work together to decode the mRNA sequence. Each sequence of three nucleotides on the mRNA, known as a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid. The tRNA carries the amino acids and matches them to the appropriate codons on the mRNA, linking them to form a polypeptide chain, which ultimately folds into a functional protein.

Understanding this mechanism highlights the central role of mRNA in the genetic code's expression, leading to protein synthesis—essential for cellular function and structure. Proteins are vital biomolecules that perform a vast array of functions including catalyzing metabolic reactions, supporting cellular structures, and regulating gene expression and cell signaling. This emphasizes why the correct answer points to proteins as the end product of the translation process.