Which process describes the copying of a DNA sequence into messenger RNA?

Transcription is the process that involves copying a specific segment of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, the DNA double helix unwinds, and one of the strands serves as a template for synthesizing mRNA. RNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for this process, binding to the DNA and synthesizing a complementary strand of RNA based on the sequence of the DNA template.

This mRNA strand then carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where the information is translated into proteins during the process known as translation. Transcription is a crucial step in gene expression, allowing the cell to produce the necessary proteins as dictated by its genetic code.

Understanding this process is essential for grasping how genes are expressed and regulated within a cell, highlighting the central role of mRNA in the flow of genetic information within biological systems.