Which term describes the overall process of using DNA to produce functional products in cells?

Which term describes the overall process of using DNA to produce functional products in cells?

• A. Gene expression
• B. Genetic code
• C. Codon
• D. Anticodon

Answer: (A)

Gene expression describes how information in DNA is used to make functional products in cells. It encompasses the two main stages: transcription, where a gene is copied into messenger RNA, and translation, where that RNA is read by ribosomes to assemble a protein. Regulation at various points controls when and how much product is produced, adapting to the cell’s needs. The genetic code is separate—it’s the set of rules that tells the cell which amino acid corresponds to each codon, not the overall process. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA, and an anticodon is the complementary three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that pairs with the codon during translation. In short, gene expression is the full process by which DNA directs the synthesis of functional cellular products.

Gene expression describes how information in DNA is used to make functional products in cells. It encompasses the two main stages: transcription, where a gene is copied into messenger RNA, and translation, where that RNA is read by ribosomes to assemble a protein. Regulation at various points controls when and how much product is produced, adapting to the cell’s needs. The genetic code is separate—it’s the set of rules that tells the cell which amino acid corresponds to each codon, not the overall process. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA, and an anticodon is the complementary three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that pairs with the codon during translation. In short, gene expression is the full process by which DNA directs the synthesis of functional cellular products.