What role does mRNA play in the cell?

mRNA, or messenger RNA, serves a crucial function in the process of gene expression within the cell. Its primary role is to convey genetic information from the nucleus, where DNA is housed, to the cytoplasm, where proteins are synthesized. This process begins when the DNA is transcribed into mRNA. Once formed, the mRNA molecule exits the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, where it acts as a template for translation, allowing ribosomes to produce proteins based on the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA.

Understanding this role underscores why mRNA is central to the flow of genetic information, often referred to as the "central dogma" of molecular biology, which illustrates that DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins. This makes the transport of information by mRNA essential for cellular function and regulation.