When a gene is transcribed, the process involves the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA) from a specific DNA segment. This segment of DNA contains the instructions for creating a particular protein or functional RNA molecule.
During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to the gene's promoter region on the DNA and initiates the copying of the gene's sequence into mRNA. This mRNA serves as a template for protein synthesis during the process of translation.
Therefore, genes are the specific regions of DNA that are transcribed to produce functional molecules like mRNA, which play crucial roles in the cell's processes and functions.
In summary, genes are the segments of DNA that undergo transcription to produce mRNA, enabling the expression of specific proteins and molecules essential for various biological functions within an organism.