D1.2.1—Transcription
Transcription produces an RNA copy of gene information when RNA polymerase uses one DNA strand as a complementary template for mRNA synthesis.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D1.2.1
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–4
Common command terms
- State
- Outline
- Explain
- Describe
- Distinguish
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Confusing transcription with translation by naming ribosomes or amino acids instead of RNA polymerase and mRNA.
Recent exam appearances
May 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ37(b)[ 4 ]D1.2.1—Transcription
November 2024Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ17[ 1 ]D1.2.1—Transcription
May 2019Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ17(a)[ 4 ]D1.2.1—Transcription
May 2015Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ111[ 1 ]D1.2.1—Transcription
November 2014Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ09[ 1 ]D1.2.1—Transcription
Practice this objective
Coverage 2012–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Transcription copies one DNA strand into an RNA molecule.
- RNA polymerase binds DNA, separates the strands and joins RNA nucleotides.
- The antisense strand provides the template for complementary RNA base pairing.
- Eukaryotic transcription occurs in the nucleus and can be followed by RNA processing.