Question

To summarize what you have learned about transcription, explain how a gene directs the synthesis of an mRNA molecule. Include in your explanation the words and phrases: base-pairing rules, complementary nucleotides, DNA, gene, mRNA, nucleotide, nucleus, and RNA polymerase

Answer 1

Answer:

Please find a detailed explanation of the process below

Explanation:

Transcription is the first stage of gene expression in living organisms in which a DNA sequence is used to synthesize a mRNA molecule. This process, which occurs in the NUCLEUS of eukaryotes and cytoplasm of prokaryotes, is catalyzed by an enzyme called RNA POLYMERASE.

- In the initial stage called INITIATION, RNA polymerase binds to the promoter of GENE and starts to unwind the double strand of the DNA sequence.

- The RNA polymerase, then, begins to add complementary NUCLEOTIDE bases following the COMPLEMENTARY BASE PAIRING RULE, which states that Adenine will pair with Thymine (Uracil in RNA) while Guanine will pair with Cytosine i.e. T-A, A-U, G-C etc. This stage is called ELONGATION.

- The last stage called TERMINATION involves the stopping of the process because the RNA polymerase has encountered a termination signal.