In eukaryotes, where does transcription occur?

In eukaryotes, where does transcription occur?

• A. Nucleus
• B. Cytoplasm
• C. Mitochondria
• D. Ribosome

Answer: (A)

Transcription in eukaryotes happens in the nucleus, where the DNA is stored. Here, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and builds a complementary RNA strand. The nucleus also handles processing of that RNA—capping, splicing out introns, and adding a poly-A tail—before the mature mRNA is exported to the cytoplasm for translation. The cytoplasm is where translation occurs, not transcription. Some organelles, like mitochondria, do carry out transcription for their own genes, but the bulk of transcription of nuclear genes takes place in the nucleus. So the nucleus is the correct location.

Transcription in eukaryotes happens in the nucleus, where the DNA is stored. Here, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and builds a complementary RNA strand. The nucleus also handles processing of that RNA—capping, splicing out introns, and adding a poly-A tail—before the mature mRNA is exported to the cytoplasm for translation. The cytoplasm is where translation occurs, not transcription. Some organelles, like mitochondria, do carry out transcription for their own genes, but the bulk of transcription of nuclear genes takes place in the nucleus. So the nucleus is the correct location.