Question

Briefly describe the mechanism of transcription in prokaryotes.

Hint:

In prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm.

Answer 1

Transcription in prokaryotes is the process by which an RNA molecule is synthesized from a DNA template. It occurs in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells. The main steps of transcription are: 1. Initiation: - The process begins when the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the gene. - The promoter is a specific sequence of DNA that signals the start of transcription. - The RNA polymerase enzyme unwinds the DNA double helix and begins to synthesize RNA from the template strand. 2. Elongation: - RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand in the 3' to 5' direction, synthesizing the RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction. - The RNA molecule is complementary to the template DNA strand, replacing thymine (T) with uracil (U). 3. Termination: - The RNA polymerase continues to synthesize RNA until it reaches a termination signal in the DNA sequence, known as the terminator. - The RNA molecule is released, and the RNA polymerase dissociates from the DNA. The RNA produced in prokaryotes is often mRNA, which can be immediately translated into proteins.
Final Answer: Transcription in prokaryotes involves RNA polymerase binding to the promoter, synthesizing RNA during elongation, and terminating when a specific DNA sequence is reached.