Textbook Question
Identify similarities and differences between an inducible operon and a repressible operon in terms of
The transcription-regulating DNA sequences.
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10. Transcription
Overview of Transcription
Multiple Choice
In which direction does RNA polymerase synthesize mRNA during transcription?
A
3' to 5' direction
B
5' to 3' direction
C
Random direction
D
Both 5' to 3' and 3' to 5' directions
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA by adding nucleotides to the growing RNA strand.
Recall that nucleic acid synthesis always occurs in the 5' to 3' direction, meaning new nucleotides are added to the 3' end of the RNA strand.
Recognize that RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand in the 3' to 5' direction to create a complementary RNA strand.
Therefore, the direction of mRNA synthesis by RNA polymerase is 5' to 3', which is opposite to the direction in which the DNA template strand is read.
Conclude that the correct answer is that RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA in the 5' to 3' direction.
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