What is transcription in the context of molecular biology?

Transcription in molecular biology refers to the process of synthesizing an RNA molecule from a DNA template. This process is pivotal in gene expression, as it allows the information encoded in DNA to be converted into a form that can be translated into proteins. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to the DNA at a specific region called the promoter. It then unwinds the DNA strands and synthesizes a single strand of RNA by adding RNA nucleotides complementary to the DNA template strand.

This first stage of gene expression is crucial because it serves to carry the genetic information from DNA, which remains protected within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis occurs. Thus, transcription initiates not only the process of translating genetic information into functional proteins but also establishes the regulation of gene expression, impacting how cells respond to their environment and differentiate into various cell types.