Which of the following descriptions best defines transcription?

Transcription is a fundamental biological process in which the information encoded in a specific DNA sequence is copied into RNA. This process occurs in three main stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. During initiation, the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA, known as the promoter, and unwinds the DNA strands. In the elongation stage, RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand, synthesizing a complementary RNA strand by adding ribonucleotides that are complementary to the DNA bases. Finally, transcription concludes with termination, where the RNA polymerase detaches from the DNA, and the newly synthesized RNA strand is released.

This description captures the essence of transcription as it specifically highlights the transformation of DNA's genetic code into the RNA format, laying the groundwork for subsequent processes such as translation, where RNA is used to build proteins. Understanding transcription is essential for grasping how genetic information is expressed in living organisms.