During which transcription phase does RNA polymerase detach from DNA?

The phase during which RNA polymerase detaches from DNA is the termination phase of transcription. During this phase, RNA polymerase encounters specific sequences in the DNA known as terminators, which signal the end of the gene that is being transcribed. Upon reaching these terminators, several events occur: the newly synthesized RNA molecule is released, and RNA polymerase releases its hold on the DNA strand. This marks the conclusion of transcription for that particular gene.

In contrast, the initiation phase is when RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the DNA to start transcription. The elongation phase involves the sequential addition of ribonucleotides to the growing RNA chain, where RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand. The translation phase, on the other hand, refers to the process in which messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded to produce proteins, which is distinct from transcription. Thus, the termination phase is specifically defined by the release of RNA polymerase from the DNA, making it the correct answer.