What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system. It outlines the processes of transcription and translation, which are essential for the expression of genes.

The correct sequence is DNA → RNA → Protein. First, DNA, which houses the genetic blueprint, is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) in a process called transcription. This step involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, allowing the genetic information to be converted into a form that can be translated into proteins.

Subsequently, the mRNA is translated into a protein during translation, where ribosomes synthesize proteins by reading the sequence of the mRNA. The resulting proteins perform a myriad of functions essential for life, reflecting the information encoded in the original DNA.

This process is fundamental to all living organisms and clarifies how genetic information is utilized in a cell. The other options either misrepresent the flow of information or suggest incorrect processes that do not occur within the established framework of molecular biology.