Question

the gene for melanin (skin pigment) is transcribed similarly in humans and apes. where does the transcription of the melanin gene take place?

• in the ribosome
• in the nucleus and the cytoplasm
• in the nucleus and the ribosome
• only in the nucleus

Explanation:

To determine where the transcription of the melanin gene occurs, we recall the process of transcription. Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. In eukaryotic cells (like human and ape cells), DNA is located in the nucleus. The enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the DNA in the nucleus to transcribe the gene into mRNA. Ribosomes are involved in translation (protein synthesis), not transcription. So the transcription of the melanin gene (a eukaryotic gene) takes place only in the nucleus.

Answer:

D. only in the nucleus