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Wordabulary

transcription

Pronunciation
Noun B2 Upper-intermediate

Quick answer

The biological process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, or the act of writing down spoken words exactly as they were said.

"During transcription, an enzyme reads the DNA strand and builds a matching strand of messenger RNA."

Usage notes

'Transcription' is easy to confuse with 'translation': in genetics, transcription copies DNA into RNA, while translation converts that RNA into a protein.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "During _____, an enzyme reads the DNA strand and builds a matching strand of messenger RNA."

Answer: transcription

In your own words, what does "transcription" mean?

The biological process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, or the act of writing down spoken words exactly as they were said.

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