What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) plays a crucial role in the process of gene expression by serving as the intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis. This involves carrying the genetic information encoded in DNA from the cell's nucleus, where DNA resides, to the ribosomes, which are the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.

The process begins with transcription, where a specific segment of DNA is transcribed into mRNA. This mRNA molecule is then processed and transported out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Once in the cytoplasm, mRNA binds to ribosomes, where its sequence of nucleotides is read in sets of three, known as codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, which are the building blocks of proteins. Thus, mRNA serves as a template for assembling amino acids in the correct order to ultimately form a protein.

Understanding the role of mRNA is essential for grasping how genetic information is translated into functional proteins, which are vital for various processes within the cell and organism as a whole.