During transcription, DNA is ______ into mRNA, and each set of three nucleotides, also called ______, code for specific ______.

During transcription, DNA is ______ into mRNA, and each set of three nucleotides, also called ______, code for specific ______.

• A. Transcribed; codons; amino acids
• B. Replicated; codons; nucleotides
• C. Transcribed; anticodons; amino acids
• D. Transcribed; codons; nucleotides

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how gene expression uses a two-step flow from DNA to protein. During transcription, DNA is used as a template to assemble a complementary RNA molecule, specifically messenger RNA (mRNA). Once mRNA is made, its information is read in triplets of nucleotides called codons, and each codon specifies a particular amino acid to be added during translation. So the statement that DNA is transcribed into mRNA and that each three-nucleotide codon codes for a specific amino acid correctly describes both the transcription step and the genetic code used in protein synthesis. Think about what doesn’t fit: replication is about copying DNA DNA, not making an RNA transcript. Anticodons are found on tRNA and participate in translation by pairing with codons on mRNA, not in transcription. Codons are triplets on mRNA, not the individual nucleotides themselves, and they don’t code for nucleotides but for amino acids.

The main idea here is how gene expression uses a two-step flow from DNA to protein. During transcription, DNA is used as a template to assemble a complementary RNA molecule, specifically messenger RNA (mRNA). Once mRNA is made, its information is read in triplets of nucleotides called codons, and each codon specifies a particular amino acid to be added during translation. So the statement that DNA is transcribed into mRNA and that each three-nucleotide codon codes for a specific amino acid correctly describes both the transcription step and the genetic code used in protein synthesis.

Think about what doesn’t fit: replication is about copying DNA DNA, not making an RNA transcript. Anticodons are found on tRNA and participate in translation by pairing with codons on mRNA, not in transcription. Codons are triplets on mRNA, not the individual nucleotides themselves, and they don’t code for nucleotides but for amino acids.