Question

What enzyme 'reads' one side of the DNA strand as a template to make an RNA copy?

1. Helicase
2. RNA Polymerase
3. DNA Polymerase
4. The Ribosome
5. All of the above

Answer 1

RNA Polymerase is the enzyme that reads the DNA template strand to synthesize an RNA copy during the process of transcription. Option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme that 'reads' one side of the DNA strand as a template to make an RNA copy is called RNA Polymerase. This process occurs during transcription where the enzyme unwinds the DNA, reads the coding strand (also known as the template strand), and synthesizes an RNA molecule by aligning and connecting the correct ribonucleotides. RNA Polymerase operates in the 5' to 3' direction, adding nucleotides to the growing RNA strand that are complementary to the DNA template strand, effectively creating a single-stranded RNA molecule that mirrors the DNA sequence.