What role does mRNA play in protein synthesis?

mRNA, or messenger RNA, plays a crucial role in the process of protein synthesis by carrying genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, which are the cellular machinery responsible for assembling proteins. This process begins with transcription, where a specific segment of DNA is transcribed to produce mRNA. The mRNA molecule then travels from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template that ribosomes read to synthesize proteins.

During translation, the ribosome reads the sequence of codons on the mRNA, which correspond to specific amino acids. This information allows the ribosome to assemble the correct sequence of amino acids, leading to the formation of a polypeptide chain that ultimately folds and undergoes post-translational modifications to become a functional protein. Thus, mRNA is essential for conveying the genetic instructions needed for protein synthesis, making its role indispensable in the overall process of gene expression and function in living organisms.