Final answer:
The correct statements are A (mRNA is translated from 5' to 3' end) and C (During transcription, the mRNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction), making statement D (A and C are both true) the correct answer. These processes of transcription and translation are central to gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement regarding the direction of mRNA synthesis and translation is A. The mRNA is translated from the 5’ to the 3’ end. During transcription, RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA in the 5'’ to 3'’ direction, using the DNA template strand which runs in the 3'’ to 5'’ direction. This process takes place in the nucleus of eukaryotes. Following transcription, the mRNA undergoes various processing steps like 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation, and splicing before it is exported to the cytoplasm for translation.
During translation, which occurs in cytoplasmic ribosomes, the mRNA is read in the 5'’ to 3’ direction to synthesize polypeptides from the N terminus to the C terminus. Moreover, the mRNA contains codons which are read by the ribosome during translation. Thus, the statement D. A and C are both true is the correct one.