Transcription occurs in which of the following directions?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.
2. Recognize that during transcription, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand.
3. Recall that RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA in the 5' to 3' direction, adding nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing RNA strand.
4. Identify that the DNA template strand is read in the 3' to 5' direction by RNA polymerase.
5. Conclude that the correct direction for RNA synthesis during transcription is 5' to 3'.