During transcription, double-stranded DNA is transcribed into a complementary molecule of ________.

During transcription, double-stranded DNA is transcribed into a complementary molecule of ________.

• A. Double-stranded DNA
• B. Protein
• C. RNA polymerase
• D. Single-stranded mRNA

Answer: (D)

Transcription copies the DNA sequence into an RNA transcript. The enzyme RNA polymerase builds a single-stranded RNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template (with uracil replacing thymine). In the typical gene-expression context, this RNA is messenger RNA (mRNA), which is why the product described is single-stranded mRNA. The DNA stays as the double-stranded template, and proteins are made later during translation, not transcription. RNA polymerase and double-stranded DNA are involved in the process, but they are not the transcript produced.

Transcription copies the DNA sequence into an RNA transcript. The enzyme RNA polymerase builds a single-stranded RNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template (with uracil replacing thymine). In the typical gene-expression context, this RNA is messenger RNA (mRNA), which is why the product described is single-stranded mRNA. The DNA stays as the double-stranded template, and proteins are made later during translation, not transcription. RNA polymerase and double-stranded DNA are involved in the process, but they are not the transcript produced.