In which direction is the DNA molecule read during transcription?

• A. 3' to 3'
• B. 5' to 5'
• C. 3' to 5'
• D. 5' to 3'

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that transcription is the process by which a DNA sequence is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA).
2. Recognize that during transcription, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand to synthesize a complementary RNA strand.
3. Recall that the DNA template strand is read in the 3' to 5' direction by RNA polymerase.
4. Note that the RNA strand is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, which is the direction of mRNA elongation.
5. Conclude that while the DNA template is read 3' to 5', the synthesis of the RNA molecule occurs in the 5' to 3' direction.