What is the process of synthesizing RNA from DNA?

The process of synthesizing RNA from DNA is known as transcription. This fundamental biological mechanism involves the copying of a specific segment of DNA into RNA. During transcription, the DNA double helix unwinds, and one strand serves as a template for the formation of a complementary RNA strand. RNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for this process, binds to the DNA at a specific region called the promoter and synthesizes the RNA in a 5’ to 3’ direction, adding ribonucleotides that are complementary to the DNA template.

Transcription is crucial for gene expression, as it allows the genetic code contained in DNA to be converted into a functional product, namely RNA, which can then be translated into proteins. This process is the first step in the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, often described as the central dogma of molecular biology.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different biological processes. Translation, for example, refers to the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA, while gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size. Replication involves the duplication of DNA prior to cell division, ensuring that each new cell receives an exact copy of the DNA