What are ribosomes primarily composed of?

Ribosomes are primarily composed of special proteins and nucleic acids, specifically ribosomal RNA (rRNA). This combination is crucial because ribosomes play a central role in the synthesis of proteins, which is essential for cell function and structure. The ribosomal RNA provides the structural framework for the ribosome, while the proteins facilitate the assembly and function of the ribosome during translation. The specificity of the proteins also contributes to the efficiency and accuracy of protein synthesis.

In the context of the other options, while proteins are indeed part of ribosomes, they are not composed of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, or lipids in significant amounts. Ribosomes exclusively utilize rRNA for their nucleic acid component and do not consist solely of nucleic acids, as would be suggested by that choice. Thus, the combination of special proteins and nucleic acids accurately reflects the composition of ribosomes and their functional roles in the cell.