What are the stages of transcription?

Transcription is the process by which genetic information in DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), and this process occurs in three key stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.

During initiation, the RNA polymerase enzyme binds to the promoter region of the DNA and unwinds the double helix to expose the template strand. This stage sets the foundation for the transcription process, as it determines where transcription starts.

In the elongation stage, RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand, synthesizing a single strand of RNA by adding ribonucleotide triphosphates complementary to the DNA template. This process continues, creating a growing mRNA strand that mirrors the sequence of the DNA.

Termination occurs when RNA polymerase reaches a specific sequence in the DNA that signals the end of transcription. Upon reaching this termination signal, the newly synthesized mRNA molecule is released from the RNA polymerase, and the DNA strands re-anneal, completing the transcription process.

Understanding these stages is essential for grasping how genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA, which is a fundamental aspect of gene expression.