a.Briefly describe the role of RNA polymerase in gene transcription.
Question
a.Briefly describe the role of RNA polymerase in gene transcription.
Solution
RNA polymerase plays a crucial role in the process of gene transcription. Here are the steps describing its role:
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Initiation: The process begins when RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA called the promoter. This signals the start of the gene that needs to be transcribed.
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Elongation: After binding, RNA polymerase unwinds the DNA strands to expose the sequence of the gene. It then reads the DNA template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction. This RNA strand is the transcript of the original DNA sequence.
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Termination: Once the entire gene has been read and transcribed into an RNA molecule, the process needs to be stopped. This is done when RNA polymerase reaches a sequence of DNA called the terminator. At this point, the RNA polymerase molecule detaches from the DNA, and the newly synthesized RNA molecule is released.
In summary, RNA polymerase is responsible for reading the DNA sequence of a gene and synthesizing a corresponding RNA molecule. This process is fundamental to the expression of genes and the production of proteins.
Similar Questions
What does the RNA polymerase bind to first?
What is the role of RNA polymerase II in eukaryotic transcription?Group of answer choicesTo synthesise pre-rRNA and pre-tRNA from TATA containing genesTo synthesise pre-tRNA and pre-rRNA from genes that do not contain a TATA boxTo synthesise all forms of RNA, but not from TATA containing genesTo synthesise mRNA from TATA containing genes
When RNA polymerase is bound to the lac promoter sequence, transcription of the lac operon is on.
The RNA synthesized by RNA polymerase II is known as the transcript. It is later modified into the mature mRNA.
The DNA sequence where RNA polymerase attaches and initiates transcription.Group of answer choicescodonanticodonexonpromoterintronTATA boxNext
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