How is the information encoded in the rfp gene expressed as a trait?

How is the information encoded in the rfp gene expressed as a trait?

• A. The rfp gene is transcribed into messenger RNA, which is translated into protein, and the protein gives the red fluorescence.
• B. The rfp gene is copied directly into protein without RNA.
• C. The RNA translates into DNA to emit color.
• D. The protein is transcribed into RNA.

Answer: (A)

The trait appears through the standard flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA, and the mRNA is translated into a protein. The rfp gene provides the code to make the red fluorescent protein; once produced, this protein folds to form the fluorescent chromophore that emits red light when excited, so the cell exhibits red fluorescence. This sequence—DNA to RNA to protein—explains how the information in the rfp gene becomes a visible trait. Directly copying DNA into protein isn’t how gene expression works, and RNA doesn’t convert into DNA or back into protein in the same way. The protein is produced by translating the RNA, not by translating RNA into DNA or transcribing protein.

The trait appears through the standard flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA, and the mRNA is translated into a protein. The rfp gene provides the code to make the red fluorescent protein; once produced, this protein folds to form the fluorescent chromophore that emits red light when excited, so the cell exhibits red fluorescence. This sequence—DNA to RNA to protein—explains how the information in the rfp gene becomes a visible trait.

Directly copying DNA into protein isn’t how gene expression works, and RNA doesn’t convert into DNA or back into protein in the same way. The protein is produced by translating the RNA, not by translating RNA into DNA or transcribing protein.