What occurs during transcription in gene expression?

During transcription in gene expression, mRNA is synthesized based on the DNA template. This is a critical step in the process of translating genetic information from DNA into a form that can be used by the cell to produce proteins. In transcription, a specific segment of DNA is unwound, and one of the strands serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary RNA strand. RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the gene and facilitates the addition of ribonucleotides in a sequence that complements the DNA sequence.

This process results in the formation of messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes, where it is then translated into proteins during the subsequent process known as translation. Understanding transcription is essential for grasping how genes are expressed and how proteins, which perform various functions in the cell, are produced.