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Stages of Transcription
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Are both strands of DNA used in making RNA? DNA is a two stranded molecule. Only one strand is used to transcribe mRNA. During transcription the two strands separate and RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA based on the sequence of one the two strands. Then the two DNA strands join together again. Either strand may be used to produce mRNA. One strand does not exclusively code for mRNA while the other does not. But for any given mRNA strand only one of the DNA strands is used.

The complementary nature of DNA would make it very unlikely that both strands could code simultaneously for functional proteins.

View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.





1Which of the following best describes transcription?
A)DNA -> DNA
B)DNA -> RNA
C)DNA -> Protein
D)RNA -> DNA
E)RNA -> Protein


2The enzyme that accomplishes transcription is termed
A)DNA polymerase.
B)RNA polymerase.
C)DNA ligase.
D)RNA ligase.
E)RNA replicase.


3The transcription enzyme first attaches to the ________ of the gene.
A)coding region
B)promoter
C)operator
D)regulator
E)initiator


4The terminator of a gene is located upstream of the coding region.
A)True
B)False


5Initial attachment of the transcription enzyme to the gene, results in a structure termed the closed complex.
A)True
B)False





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