Transcription
In transcription (Figure 8.8 in the text), a strand of messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from the genetic information in DNA. (Adenine in the DNA dictates the location of uracil, which replaces thymine in mRNA.) If DNA has the base sequence ATGCAT, the mRNA will have UACGUA. The region where RNA polymerase (needed for synthesis) binds to DNA and transcription begins is known as the promoter site. The terminator site is where the RNA polymerase and newly formed mRNA are released from the DNA, signaling the endpoint for transcription of the gene.