Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Where does transcription occur in the cell?

1. Cytoplasm

2. Nucleus

3. Nucleolus

4. Ribosome

The correct answer is: Nucleolus

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information encoded in DNA is transcribed to produce RNA. This crucial cellular activity occurs primarily in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, where the DNA is located. The nucleus serves as the location for transcription because it provides an environment where the DNA can be safely accessed and read. During transcription, messenger RNA (mRNA) is created, which carries the information needed for protein synthesis to the ribosomes, where translation occurs. While the nucleolus is involved in the production of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the assembly of ribosomal subunits, the overall process of transcription of coding genes takes place in the surrounding nuclear matrix of the nucleus. Thus, identifying the nucleus as the site of transcription is essential for understanding the flow of genetic information within a cell, as it accurately reflects where this fundamental biological process occurs.