What molecule serves as the template for protein synthesis?

The molecule that serves as the template for protein synthesis is mRNA, or messenger RNA. During the process of transcription, mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template. It carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis occurs. The sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is read in sets of three bases called codons, which correspond to specific amino acids. This codon sequence essentially dictates the order in which amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation, thus determining the structure and function of the resulting protein.

In contrast, tRNA (transfer RNA) is involved in the translation process by bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome based on the codons in the mRNA, but it does not act as a template itself. rRNA (ribosomal RNA) forms a crucial part of the ribosomes, serving as a structural and functional component, but again, it does not serve as a template for protein synthesis. DNA is the original source of genetic information and is transcribed into mRNA, but during actual protein synthesis, it is the mRNA that acts as the template.