What does mRNA stand for and what is its role?

mRNA stands for Messenger RNA, and its primary role is to carry genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis in cells. This process is crucial for translating the genetic code found in DNA into functional proteins, which perform various essential tasks within the organism.

The production of mRNA occurs during transcription, where a specific segment of DNA is copied into RNA form. This mRNA then travels from the nucleus of the cell, where DNA resides, to the cytoplasm, where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and translate it into a polypeptide chain, ultimately folding into a functional protein. This key role of mRNA in conveying genetic instructions makes it a vital component of the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system.