After processing, where does the mRNA molecule go and what does it do?

After processing, where does the mRNA molecule go and what does it do?

• A. It remains in the nucleus
• B. It leaves the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome
• C. It binds to DNA polymerase
• D. It exits the nucleus and is translated on ribosomes in the cytoplasm

Answer: (D)

After processing, the mRNA is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm where it serves as the template for protein synthesis. Ribosomes, which can be free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, read the mRNA codons and recruit tRNAs to add the corresponding amino acids, building the polypeptide chain. This translation happens in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleus, and DNA polymerase is involved in copying DNA, not translating mRNA. So the description that mRNA exits the nucleus and is translated on ribosomes in the cytoplasm accurately captures both export and translation steps.

After processing, the mRNA is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm where it serves as the template for protein synthesis. Ribosomes, which can be free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, read the mRNA codons and recruit tRNAs to add the corresponding amino acids, building the polypeptide chain. This translation happens in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleus, and DNA polymerase is involved in copying DNA, not translating mRNA. So the description that mRNA exits the nucleus and is translated on ribosomes in the cytoplasm accurately captures both export and translation steps.