What would the syllable c denote in the term cDNA used in genetic engineering?

Options

A. Copy
B. Complementary
C. Both (1) and (2)
D. Common

Answer

To solve the question regarding what the syllable "c" denotes in the term cDNA used in genetic engineering, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Term cDNA**:
- cDNA stands for complementary DNA. It is synthesized from an RNA template through a process called reverse transcription.

2. **Know the Process of Reverse Transcription**:
- In molecular biology, the central dogma describes the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, and RNA is then translated into proteins. However, in reverse transcription, RNA is converted back into DNA.

3. **Identify the Role of Reverse Transcriptase**:
- The enzyme responsible for synthesizing cDNA from RNA is called reverse transcriptase. This enzyme facilitates the conversion of the RNA sequence into a complementary DNA sequence.

4. **Analyze the Options Given**:
- The options provided are:
- a) Copy
- b) Complementary
- c) Both one and two
- d) Common
- Since cDNA is formed as a complementary strand to the RNA template, the correct interpretation of "c" in cDNA is "complementary."

5. **Eliminate Incorrect Options**:
- The term "copy" does not accurately describe cDNA, as it specifically refers to the complementary nature of the DNA synthesized from RNA. Therefore, options a), c), and d) can be eliminated.

6. **Conclude the Answer**:
- The correct answer is that the "c" in cDNA denotes "complementary."

### Final Answer:
The syllable "c" in the term cDNA stands for "complementary."

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