Which process involves copying the DNA sequence in a gene into mRNA?

Prepare for the Virginia Biology SOL Test. Practice with quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Enhance your knowledge and be exam-ready!

The process that involves copying the DNA sequence in a gene into mRNA is known as transcription. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to the DNA at the gene's promoter region and unwinds the DNA strands. It then synthetically constructs a single strand of mRNA by adding complementary RNA nucleotides to the growing mRNA strand.

This process is crucial as it converts the genetic information carried in the DNA into a form that can be translated into proteins, which are essential for various functions in cells. The mRNA strand produced during transcription serves as a template for protein synthesis during the next step, known as translation.

In contrast, replication refers to the process of duplicating the entire DNA molecule, which occurs prior to cell division to ensure that each new cell receives an identical copy of the DNA. Translation, on the other hand, is the process where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and synthesize the corresponding protein. Bioluminescence is a biological phenomenon whereby living organisms produce light, which is unrelated to the processes of gene expression.

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