Transcription (genetics)

Transcription is the process through which a DNA sequence is enzymatically copied by an RNA polymerase to produce a complementary RNA. In the case of protein-encoding DNA, transcription is the beginning of the process that ultimately leads to the translation of the genetic code (via the mRNA intermediate) into a functional peptide or protein.

Related Topics:
DNA - Enzymatically - RNA polymerase - RNA - Translation - MRNA - Peptide - Protein

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Transcription has some proofreading mechanisms, but they are fewer and less effective than the controls for DNA; therefore, transcription has a lower copying fidelity than DNA replication.

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Transcription proceeds in the 5' → 3' direction, and is divided into 3 stages: initiation, elongation and termination.

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