Final answer:
Messenger RNA (mRNA) acts as an intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis, carrying genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of RNA that copies genetic instructions from DNA in the nucleus and carries them to the cytoplasm. It was named 'messenger RNA' because it acts as an intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis, carrying the instructions from DNA to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Messenger RNA is synthesized by copying a section of one of the two strands of DNA that carries information for synthesizing a protein. It is a single-stranded RNA molecule and is complementary to the coding sequence of the DNA, with the substitution of U in the RNA for T. Once formed, mRNA interacts with ribosomes and other cellular machinery in the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
In summary, messenger RNA is an essential molecule in protein synthesis, transmitting genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes to produce proteins.