RNAP-promoter transcribing complex, molecular model. The image shows the initial RNAP-promoter transcribing complex with a non-template DNA strand (green), a template DNA strand (blue) and the RNA transcript (pink). The RNAP (RNA polymerase) is not shown, as it would obstruct the view on the three nucleic acids. RNAP locally opens the double-stranded DNA so that one strand of the exposed nucleic acids can be used as a template for the synthesis of RNA, a process called transcription.