What is the primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cell?

The primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA) is to carry information coding for protein synthesis from DNA to ribosomes. During the process of transcription, mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template, retaining the genetic code necessary for constructing proteins. Once formed, mRNA transports this information from the nucleus, where DNA is located, to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, which are the sites of protein synthesis. At the ribosomes, the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into a specific sequence of amino acids, ultimately forming proteins, which are crucial for numerous cellular functions.

The role of mRNA is fundamental in the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. This makes its function central to the process of gene expression and the overall functioning of cells.