Here's how it works:

1. mRNA Transcription: DNA in the nucleus is transcribed into mRNA. This mRNA molecule carries the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosomes.

2. mRNA Translation: The mRNA travels to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.

3. Amino Acid Delivery: tRNA molecules, each carrying a specific amino acid, bind to the mRNA at the ribosome based on the mRNA's codon sequence.

4. Protein Assembly: The ribosome moves along the mRNA, linking the amino acids together in the order specified by the mRNA codons, forming a polypeptide chain.

5. Protein Folding: The polypeptide chain then folds into its three-dimensional shape, forming the final protein.

So, the ribosome is the key player in the process of translating the genetic code from mRNA into a functional protein.