The end product of transcription is _ and the end product of translation is _. a Protein, mRNA. b DNA, trait. c mRNA, tRNA d mRNA, protein.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: d) mRNA, protein
Explanation:
The process of gene expression occurs in two major stages: transcription and translation. These are essential steps that cells use to produce proteins based on the genetic instructions encoded in DNA.
Transcription is the first step in gene expression. It takes place in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. During transcription, a segment of DNA is used as a template to synthesize a complementary strand of messenger RNA (mRNA). This is facilitated by the enzyme RNA polymerase, which unwinds the DNA and assembles the RNA strand. The mRNA strand carries the genetic code from the DNA out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where it will be used in the next step. Therefore, the end product of transcription is mRNA.
Translation is the second step and occurs in the cytoplasm, where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and use it to build a chain of amino acids. This process relies on transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules that bring amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA has an anticodon that matches with a codon on the mRNA strand, ensuring the correct sequence of amino acids. The amino acids are then linked together by peptide bonds, forming a polypeptide chain that folds into a functional protein. Therefore, the end product of translation is a protein.
These processes are tightly regulated and essential for all cellular functions. The accurate transcription and translation of genetic information are necessary for proper cell structure, function, and response to the environment. Errors in either process can result in malfunctioning proteins, leading to diseases or cellular defects. Understanding the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is known as the central dogma of molecular biology.
