What do the processes of transcription and translation collectively contribute to in a cell?

The processes of transcription and translation together are essential for protein synthesis in a cell. Transcription is the first step, where the DNA sequence of a gene is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then undergoes processing and exits the nucleus.

Following transcription, translation occurs in the cytoplasm, where the mRNA is read by ribosomes. During this process, transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring amino acids that correspond to the codons on the mRNA sequence, effectively assembling them into a polypeptide chain. This chain ultimately folds into a functional protein, which plays various roles in the cell.

Thus, the combined actions of transcription and translation are integral to translating genetic information into functional proteins, making protein synthesis the correct answer. Other options like cellular respiration, cell division, and metabolic regulation are important cellular processes but do not directly involve the transcription and translation mechanisms that specifically lead to protein synthesis.