Question

DNA template strand 5'____________3'DNA coding strand 3'____________5'Assuming the double strand above is unwound, in which direction would the RNA polymerase move?a) 5' -> 3' along the template strandb) 3' -> 5' along the template strandc) 5' -> 3' along the coding strandd) 5' -> 3' along the double-stranded DNAe) 3' -> 5' along the coding strand

Answer 1

RNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes RNA, copying a DNA sequence. It "reads" de DNA template strand in order to synthesize an RNA strand. It synthesizes the RNA strand in the 5' -> 3' direction, reading the DNA strand (a template) in the 3' -> 5' direction. Therefore, the correct answer is b) 3' -> 5' along the template strand.