ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)General Science (GS)Medium
A biologist is studying the process of protein synthesis within a cell. Which of the following correctly describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to functional protein?
- ARNA → DNA → Protein
- BProtein → RNA → DNA
- CDNA → RNA → Protein
- DDNA → Protein → RNA
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. DNA → RNA → Protein
This describes the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. Genetic information flows from DNA (transcription) to RNA, and then from RNA (translation) to protein.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This sequence is incorrect; DNA is the master blueprint.
- B. This sequence is incorrect; proteins are the end product, not the starting point for genetic flow.
- D. This sequence is incorrect; RNA is an intermediate step between DNA and protein.
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
The explanation of the flow of genetic information within a biological system, stating that DNA makes RNA, and RNA makes protein.
- DNA provides the template for RNA synthesis (transcription).
- RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes.
- Ribosomes use mRNA to synthesize proteins (translation).
Memory trick: DNA is the blueprint, RNA is the copy, Protein is the product.