What is the correct sequence of the steps in transcription and translation?

• A. Initiation, Elongation, Termination
• B. Elongation, Initiation, Termination
• C. Termination, Initiation, Elongation
• D. Initiation, Termination, Elongation

Answer: (A)

Initiation, Elongation, Termination is the sequence that describes how both transcription and translation proceed. In transcription, the process begins when RNA polymerase assembles at the promoter to form the initiation complex and unwind the DNA; then RNA is synthesized during elongation as the polymerase moves along the template; finally, transcription ends and the RNA transcript is released during termination. In translation, the ribosome first assembles on the mRNA at the start codon (initiation), then amino acids are added one by one as tRNAs bring them and peptide bonds form (elongation), and the polypeptide is released when a stop codon is reached (termination). The other sequences would place a step out of order, which isn’t consistent with how these processes actually proceed.