Question

DNA acts as a template for the synthesis of
A. RNA
B. DNA
C. Both A and B
D. Protein

Answer 1

Hint: Template refers to the strand of DNA on which the process of replication or transcription occurs. During DNA replication a new strand of DNA is synthesized from the old one, and during transcription, an RNA strand is synthesized from the strand of DNA.

Complete answer:
1. DNA replication –
DNA replication is a process in which a new strand of DNA is synthesized from the old one. Here, the old strand of the DNA or the parental strand acts as a template strand. In this strand, the process of DNA replication occurs. Due to this reason, it is a semiconservative approach and the new strand of the DNA formed is known as the semiconservative DNA and this process is also known as the semiconservative DNA replication method.
2. Transcription –
Transcription is the process in which the genetic information is coded from one strand of the DNA to the RNA. Here the old DNA strand acts as a template strand. On this template strand of DNA, the process of transcription occurs and a newly synthesized RNA strand is created, which is complementary to the template or the parental strand.
Thus, DNA acts as a template for the synthesis of both RNA and DNA.
Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: DNA does not act as a template strand for the process of protein synthesis. This is because proteins are synthesized from the RNA by the process of Translation. DNA plays no direct role in translation. However, the RNA required for the process of translation is created with the help of the DNA with the help transcription process.