What happens during the process of transcription in the central dogma?

During the process of transcription in the central dogma of molecular biology, RNA is synthesized from DNA. This is a critical step in gene expression, where specific segments of DNA, known as genes, are used as templates to produce messenger RNA (mRNA). Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and is facilitated by enzymes such as RNA polymerase, which binds to the DNA strands and unwinds them. As RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand, it catalyzes the formation of a complementary RNA strand, building the mRNA molecule.

The significance of transcription lies in its role in conveying genetic information from DNA to mRNA, which then serves as a blueprint for protein synthesis during translation. This process is foundational for cellular functions and the expression of traits in organisms. The other options, while related to molecular biology, describe processes distinct from transcription. DNA replication involves the copying of the entire DNA sequence, protein synthesis occurs during translation after transcription, and DNA degradation refers to the breakdown of DNA, none of which are part of the transcription process itself.