What is the correct order of events in gene expression?

• A. Replication of DNA, then transcription
• B. Transcription of RNA to DNA, then translation
• C. Translation of RNA to protein, then transcription
• D. Transcription of DNA to RNA, followed by translation of RNA to protein

Answer: (D)

Gene expression follows the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein. First, transcription copies a gene’s DNA sequence into an RNA molecule, which serves as a working blueprint. Then, translation uses that RNA to assemble a chain of amino acids into a protein at the ribosome. Replication copies DNA for cell division and is not part of expressing a gene. A reverse transcription step (RNA to DNA) isn’t how typical cellular gene expression works, and translation must come after transcription, not before. So the correct sequence is DNA to RNA via transcription, then RNA to protein via translation.