During which phase of transcription does RNA polymerase bind to the promoter region?

During the initiation phase of transcription, RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the DNA. This critical first step in the transcription process involves the enzyme locating the specific sequence of DNA called the promoter, which serves as the starting point for transcription. The binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter is essential as it determines where transcription will begin and helps to control which genes are expressed.

After binding to the promoter, RNA polymerase unwinds the DNA and starts synthesizing RNA from the template strand, marking the transition into the elongation phase. Understanding this sequence of events is essential for grasping how genes are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) prior to translation into proteins. The other phases mentioned, such as elongation, termination, and processing, occur after initiation and are not directly involved in the initial binding of polyermase to the DNA.