Question

In which of the given processes, do both the strands of nucleic acid act as templates?

• A. Replication
• B. Translation
• C. Transcription
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Replication

The correct option is A.

Explanation for correct option:

1. During the process of replication, both the strands of DNA are replicated, thus both acting as a template for the newly synthesised strands.
2. The parental strand having 3’ to 5’ polarity is synthesized continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction and the other strand is synthesized discontinuously.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Option B:

1. During translation, the sequence of nucleotides present on the RNA is translated into the amino acid sequence of proteins.
2. The complete reaction of translation is carried out via ribosomes, where both ribosomes and tRNA dock on a matured mRNA transcript and then select multiple enzymes in an energy-intensive process that uses ATP as well as GTP.

Option C:

1. The DNA-dependent RNA polymerase gets bind to the promoter region and catalyzes the polymerization in the 5’ to 3’ direction on the template strand.
2. Once it reaches the terminator sequence, this process is terminated and the newly synthesised RNA strand is released.

Option D:

1. This option is not valid as the others have been explained above.

Final answer: In replication, both the strands act as templates.