What is the process by which DNA is copied to make mRNA?

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The process by which DNA is copied to make mRNA is known as transcription. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA, unwinding the double helix to access the template strand. This enzyme then synthesizes a complementary strand of messenger RNA (mRNA) by matching RNA nucleotides with the corresponding DNA bases. As a result, the information encoded in the DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which can then be translated into proteins during the subsequent process of translation.

The other options represent distinct biological processes. Transpiration refers to the movement of water through plants and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves. Replication is the process by which DNA duplicates itself before cell division, ensuring that each new cell receives an exact copy of the DNA. Translation, on the other hand, is the process where the mRNA is decoded by ribosomes to synthesize proteins. This delineation of processes highlights why transcription is specifically the correct answer for the question regarding the synthesis of mRNA from DNA.

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