Transcription occurs during the cell’s interphase, specifically in the G1 and G2 phases, and also during S phase when DNA replication is happening. It is the process where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), which then serves as a template for protein synthesis during translation.
In eukaryotic cells, transcription begins when RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of a gene, unwinding the DNA strands. This process is tightly regulated and can be influenced by various factors, including the presence of transcription factors and the overall cellular environment. Once the RNA molecule is synthesized, it undergoes several modifications like capping and splicing before it is translated into a protein.
In summary, transcription is a crucial step in gene expression that primarily takes place during interphase of the cell cycle, allowing cells to produce the proteins necessary for their functions.