Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

What role does mRNA play in a cell?

1. Transports amino acids

2. Acts as the messenger between DNA and protein production

3. Parts of the ribosome

4. Regulates cellular processes

The correct answer is: Acts as the messenger between DNA and protein production

mRNA, or messenger RNA, plays a critical role in the process of protein synthesis within a cell. It serves as a bridge between DNA, which contains the genetic code, and the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. When a gene is expressed, the corresponding DNA sequence is transcribed into mRNA. This mRNA then carries the information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where translation occurs. During translation, the ribosome reads the sequence of mRNA in sets of three nucleotides, known as codons, and matches these codons to their corresponding amino acids, which are brought to the ribosome by transfer RNA (tRNA). This process ultimately leads to the production of a polypeptide chain that folds into a functional protein. Thus, the primary and most crucial function of mRNA is to act as the messenger that conveys genetic instructions for the synthesis of proteins.