This animation shows how RNA polymerase and other transcription factors interact to transcribe DNA into RNA.

DNA is copied into RNA in a process called genetic transcription. The process starts with transcription factors assembling on a region of a gene called a promoter. An enzyme called RNA polymerase travels along the DNA, unzipping its two strands. The molecule then copies one of the strands of DNA into a strand of RNA.

This animation brings the process to life, showing three-dimensional representations of the molecules involved. Depending on students’ backgrounds, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to identify the molecules and describe their interactions.