Final answer:
The site where RNA polymerase binds to the DNA prior to the beginning of transcription is called the promoter. This is a specific sequence of DNA that specifies where transcription should begin and denotes which DNA strand to copy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The site where RNA polymerase binds to the DNA prior to the beginning of transcription is called the promoter. The promoter is a specific sequence of DNA that specifies where transcription should begin and denotes which DNA strand to copy. For prokaryotes, the promoter has two consensus sequences: the TATA box at -10 and the -35 sequence. RNA polymerase, specifically the sigma factor, binds to these sequences, allowing transcription to occur.