Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Are you gearing up for the Biology CLEP exam? Prepare like a pro with our Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What happens first in the process of transcription?

The mRNA is produced
The DNA unwinds
The RNA polymerase binds
The cells divide

The correct answer is: The DNA unwinds

Transcription is the process by which an mRNA molecule is produced from a DNA template. This process occurs in the nucleus of a cell. Before transcription can begin, the DNA must first unwind and unzip in the area where the genetic information will be transcribed. The other options, while important processes in cellular function, do not occur before transcription and do not relate to the initial steps of this specific process. Option A is incorrect because mRNA production is the result of transcription, not the first step in the process. Option C is incorrect because RNA polymerase binds to the DNA after it has unwound (step A). Option D is incorrect because cell division does not occur in the nucleus and is not directly related to transcription.