List and describe the three stages of transcription.

1. The three stages of transcription are: (1) Initiation: the process that allows RNA polymerase to bind to the DNA. The DNA promoter region contains a TATA box that allows the DNA to unwind and separate, allowing RNA polymerase to bind. (2) Elongation: the process in which RNA polymerase makes an RNA copy of the DNA template. (3) Termination: the process in which transcription stops and the mRNA is released. This is accomplished by various devices such as hair pin loops in the RNA and factors binding to the stop codon that prevent further RNA production.