Which sequence describes the flow of genetic information?

Which sequence describes the flow of genetic information?

• A. RNA -> DNA -> Protein -> Trait
• B. DNA -> Protein -> RNA -> Trait
• C. DNA -> RNA -> Protein -> Trait
• D. Protein -> RNA -> DNA -> Trait

Answer: (C)

Genetic information moves from DNA to RNA to protein, and the proteins then shape the traits you observe. DNA holds the hereditary code and is transcribed into RNA, which serves as the template for building proteins through translation. Those proteins carry out most cellular functions and determine the organism’s characteristics, or traits. So the correct sequence is DNA -> RNA -> Protein -> Trait. The other orders don’t fit because they place either the information-carrying template or the functional product in the wrong position. Starting with RNA would imply RNA is the original information carrier in normal gene expression, which isn’t the standard path for most organisms. Skipping the RNA step and going directly from DNA to protein omits the essential transcription step. Starting with protein would treat the final product as the information source, which reverses the direction of how genetic information is used to produce traits.

Genetic information moves from DNA to RNA to protein, and the proteins then shape the traits you observe. DNA holds the hereditary code and is transcribed into RNA, which serves as the template for building proteins through translation. Those proteins carry out most cellular functions and determine the organism’s characteristics, or traits. So the correct sequence is DNA -> RNA -> Protein -> Trait.

The other orders don’t fit because they place either the information-carrying template or the functional product in the wrong position. Starting with RNA would imply RNA is the original information carrier in normal gene expression, which isn’t the standard path for most organisms. Skipping the RNA step and going directly from DNA to protein omits the essential transcription step. Starting with protein would treat the final product as the information source, which reverses the direction of how genetic information is used to produce traits.