Final answer:
Correct mRNA transcription from DNA is essential for accurate gene expression and protein synthesis. Mistakes in mRNA can lead to the production of defective proteins, affecting cellular functions and potentially leading to health issues. Each codon in the mRNA sequence specifies a particular amino acid in the protein being synthesized.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important that mRNA is transcribed correctly from the strand of DNA because mRNA is a critical component in the process of gene expression. During transcription, which occurs after a region of DNA unwinds, an enzyme called RNA Polymerase synthesizes mRNA using the DNA as a template. The mRNA sequence is complementary to the template DNA strand with uracil (U) replacing thymine (T). Correct transcription is crucial because mRNA carries the genetic code to ribosomes for protein synthesis. Any errors in mRNA can lead to the production of malfunctioning proteins, which can have severe consequences for cellular functions and overall health.
For example, if the DNA strand has a sequence 5'-AATTGCGC-3', the desired sequence of the complementary RNA will be 3'-UUAACGCG-5'. During translation, the mRNA is read in sets of three nucleotide bases known as codons, each specifying a particular amino acid. Therefore, even a single nucleotide mistake in the transcription process can lead to the wrong amino acid being incorporated into a protein, potentially altering its structure and function.