During which stage of transcription does the bacterial RNA polymerase bind to the promoter?

• A. Elongation
• B. Termination
• C. Splicing
• D. Initiation

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of transcription, which is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. It involves three main stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.
2. Recognize that transcription begins with the initiation stage, where the RNA polymerase enzyme binds to a specific region of the DNA called the promoter.
3. The promoter is a sequence of DNA that signals the start of a gene and is crucial for the initiation of transcription.
4. During initiation, the RNA polymerase binds to the promoter, causing the DNA strands to unwind and form a transcription bubble, allowing the enzyme to access the template strand.
5. Once the RNA polymerase is bound to the promoter and the DNA is unwound, the enzyme can begin synthesizing RNA, marking the transition to the elongation stage.