Final answer:
mRNA is a type of RNA molecule that carries genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes to synthesize proteins. It is short-lived but undergoes extensive processing in eukaryotic cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a type of RNA molecule that serves as an intermediary between DNA and the synthesis of protein products. It carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are made. Unlike other types of RNA, such as tRNA and rRNA, mRNA is short-lived and has a relatively long half-life in eukaryotic cells, lasting for several hours. This is due to the extensive processing it undergoes before it is ready to be translated into protein.