PRACTICE:_____ allows RNA polymerase to recognize a specific promoter sequence of a gene.

• A. Rho factor.
• B. Omega factor.
• C. Beta subunit of RNA polymerase.
• D. Alpha subunit of RNA polymerase.
• E. Sigma factor.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of RNA polymerase in transcription: RNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. It binds to specific regions of DNA called promoters to initiate transcription.
2. Learn about the structure of RNA polymerase: In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase is a multi-subunit enzyme composed of several subunits, including alpha, beta, beta prime, and sigma factors.
3. Identify the function of the sigma factor: The sigma factor is a protein component of RNA polymerase that is crucial for the initiation of transcription. It enables the RNA polymerase to recognize and bind to specific promoter sequences on the DNA.
4. Differentiate between the roles of other subunits: The alpha and beta subunits of RNA polymerase are involved in the assembly and catalytic activity of the enzyme, but they do not directly recognize promoter sequences.
5. Conclude that the sigma factor is responsible for allowing RNA polymerase to recognize a specific promoter sequence of a gene, facilitating the initiation of transcription.