RNA is primarily synthesized in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, a membrane-bound organelle that houses the cell’s genetic material. During the process known as transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and creates a complementary RNA strand.
In prokaryotic cells, which lack a nucleus, RNA is made in the cytoplasm where the DNA resides. The process is still transcription, but since prokaryotic cells lack compartmentalization, it occurs simultaneously with translation, allowing for rapid protein synthesis.
After its synthesis, RNA may undergo processing in eukaryotic cells, which can include capping, polyadenylation, and splicing before it can function in protein synthesis or other cellular processes.