What term describes the cellular process where DNA is transcribed into mRNA?

• A. Transcription
• B. Translation
• C. Translocation
• D. Transduction

Answer: (A)

The term that describes the cellular process where DNA is transcribed into mRNA is transcription. This process is essential for gene expression, where the information encoded in a gene's DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the DNA at the promoter region and synthesizes a strand of RNA that is complementary to the DNA template strand. This mRNA then carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosome, where it can be translated into protein.

Transcription is the first step in the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, a concept often summarized as the central dogma of molecular biology. The proper understanding of transcription is critical for grasping how genetic information is utilized within the cell and how proteins are synthesized, as it sets the foundation for subsequent processes like translation.