Question

Given a template strand of DNA 3'-T-G-A-5', transcribe the corresponding mRNA sequence.

A) 5'-A-C-T-3'
B) 5'-U-C-A-3'
C) 3'-A-C-U-5'
D) 3'-U-C-A-5'

Answer 1

The mRNA sequence transcribed from the given DNA template strand 3'-T-G-A-5' is 5'-U-C-A-3', which follows base pairing rules where uracil (U) replaces thymine (T) in RNA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject question relates to the process of transcription in biology, where a segment of DNA is copied into mRNA. Given the DNA template strand 3'-T-G-A-5', the complementary mRNA sequence should be constructed following the base pairing rules with uracil substituting for thymine.
The corresponding mRNA sequence transcribed from the DNA template strand 3'-T-G-A-5' is B) 5'-U-C-A-3'.
During transcription, mRNA nucleotides pair up with their complementary DNA bases. RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand in the 3' to 5' direction. The mRNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, opposite to how the DNA template strand is read. The base pairing rules dictate that adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U) in RNA, and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G), just as in DNA except thymine (T) in DNA pairs with adenine (A). So, for each base in the DNA template, the corresponding mRNA base must be the complement: 'A' pairs with 'U', 'T' with 'A', and 'G' pairs with 'C'. The correct transcription of the given DNA strand is therefore 5'-U-C-A-3', which aligns with answer option B. This plagiarism free content was developed with the intention of aiding students understand the basic principles of genetics and molecular biology.