In protein synthesis, what is the role of mRNA?

The role of mRNA (messenger RNA) in protein synthesis is pivotal as it carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis in the cell. During transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is transcribed into mRNA, which then exits the nucleus through the nuclear pores. This process ensures that the information encoded in the DNA is converted into a form that can be translated into a specific amino acid sequence, ultimately forming proteins.

Once the mRNA reaches the ribosome, it serves as a template for translation, where the ribosome reads the sequence of codons on the mRNA and translates it into a chain of amino acids, forming proteins. This transport of genetic information is essential for the expression of genes and is a critical step in the pathway from genotype to phenotype in biological systems.