Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

During which cellular process is messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesized?

1. Replication

2. Translation

3. Transcription

4. Mutagenesis

The correct answer is: Transcription

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized during the process known as transcription. In transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into mRNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase. This process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, where the DNA resides. The mRNA serves as a complementary copy to the DNA template, with uracil replacing thymine in the RNA structure. Transcription initiates when RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA known as the promoter. As the enzyme progresses along the DNA strand, it unwinds the DNA helix and synthesizes a strand of mRNA based on the DNA template. This newly synthesized mRNA molecule will eventually carry the genetic information required for protein synthesis during the next stage, which is translation. Understanding this process is crucial because it highlights how genetic information is expressed. Transcription is the first step in gene expression, and it sets the stage for subsequent processes that lead to the formation of proteins, which are essential for various cellular functions.