What is the process of transcription?

Transcription is the biological process in which messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from a DNA template. This process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and involves several key steps. During transcription, an enzyme known as RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA, unwinds the double helix, and synthesizes a single strand of RNA by incorporating nucleotides complementary to the DNA template strand.

This RNA strand serves as a copy of the genetic information stored in the DNA, which will later be translated into proteins during the process of translation. It is essential for the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA and then to protein, often described by the central dogma of molecular biology.

Other processes mentioned in the options serve different roles in cellular function. The formation of proteins pertains to translation, the replication of DNA involves duplicating the genetic material prior to cell division, and the breakdown of RNA refers to its degradation, which is part of RNA turnover but not related to the transcription process itself.