Transcription begins when RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of DNA , which signals the start of a gene. Next, the DNA unwinds to expose the template strand , allowing RNA polymerase to synthesize the RNA strand by adding nucleotides in a to direction . Termination of transcription occurs when RNA polymerase reaches the terminator sequence , and the RNA strand is then released, allowing the DNA to rewind (E). This sequence is fundamental for understanding how genetic information is transcribed from DNA to RNA.