Chapter 4.7 Transcription Flashcards
What is the basic definition of transcription?
Making DNA into RNA
What carries out the process of transcription?
RNA polymerase
Bits of information on back of card about RNA polymerase that may be useful
- RNA polymerase uses DNA as template
- RNA precursors are ATP, GTP, CTP, and UTP
- Chain growth is 5′ to 3′ just as in DNA replication
How many strands of DNA are used by RNA polymerase to transcribe a gene?
Only one of the two strands
Are genes present on both strands of DNA?
If so are they in the same place?
Yes
No
How many different subunits does RNA polymerase have?
5
What are the sites on DNA that RNA polymerase recognizes?
Sites called promoters
What is a promoter?
Site of initiation of transcription
How does RNA polymerase recognize the promoter region?
The sigma factor of RNA polymerase
At what sites does transcription stop?
The sites are called transcription terminators
Extra info about transcription for review, does not seem super important. On back
• Unlike DNA replication, transcription involves
smaller units of DNA
- Often as small as a single gene
- Allows cell to transcribe different genes at different rates
What are the two regions within the promoter that are highly conserved?
Pribnow Box and the -35 region
What is the Pribnow Box?
Located 10 bases before the start of
transcription (–10 region)
What is the -35 region?
Located ~35 bases upstream of transcription
Termination of RNA synthesis is governed by a specific ___ sequence
DNA
