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

What key process allows for the copying of DNA information into RNA?

1. Translation

2. Replication

3. Transcription

4. Translocation

The correct answer is: Transcription

The process that allows for the copying of DNA information into RNA is known as transcription. During transcription, the DNA serves as a template to synthesize RNA, particularly messenger RNA (mRNA). This occurs in the nucleus of the cell, where specific enzymes, primarily RNA polymerase, bind to the DNA and unwind its double helix structure. The enzyme then assembles the complementary RNA nucleotides based on the sequence of the DNA template, leading to the formation of a single-stranded RNA molecule. This newly synthesized mRNA then exits the nucleus to be translated into proteins in the cytoplasm. Understanding transcription is fundamental in molecular biology because it reflects how genetic information is converted into functional molecules, ultimately guiding cellular processes and function. Other processes listed, such as translation and replication, have distinct roles—translation is the assembly of amino acids into proteins based on the mRNA sequence, and replication involves the duplication of DNA to ensure genetic consistency during cell division. Translocation refers to the movement or transfer of chromosomes or other cellular components and does not pertain to the copying of DNA into RNA.