One function is that rRNAs make up the structure of the ribosome. Inside the ribosome, rRNA guides the chemical reactions involved in protein synthesis, deciphering the sequence of amino acids and joining them together to form proteins. Due to this role, rRNA is often referred to as catalytic RNA. During the translation of mRNA, rRNA plays a role in connecting both mRNA and tRNA, aiding in the conversion of the codon sequence on the mRNA into specific amino acids.