Chapter 7, Problem 2Q

Summary Introduction

To determine: Whether the RNA polymerase molecules move from right to left or left to right in the given electron micrograph.

Introduction: RNA polymerase enzyme binds to the promoter sequence (beginning) of a gene. It initiates the transcription process in which the nucleotide sequences of a gene are transcribed into mRNA sequences that code for proteins. In prokaryotes, it directly binds to the promoter region and initiates the transcription process. In eukaryotes, RNA pol II enzyme first binds to the transcription factors and then forms a complex with promoter for the beginning of transcription process.

Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason why the RNA transcripts are so much shorter than the DNA segments that encode them.

Introduction: RNA polymerase enzyme binds to the promoter sequence (beginning) of a gene. It initiates the transcription process in which the nucleotide sequences of a gene are transcribed into mRNA sequences that code for proteins. In prokaryotes, it directly binds to the promoter region and initiates the transcription process. In eukaryotes, RNA pol II enzyme first binds to the transcription factors and then forms a complex with promoter for the beginning of transcription process.