Final answer:
Helicase utilizes ATP to open the double helix prior to transcription in prokaryotes. (option 4)
Step-by-step explanation:
In prokaryotes, the energy required to open the double helix prior to transcription comes from the action of helicase. Helicase is an enzyme responsible for unwinding the DNA strands, separating them to expose the template strand for transcription. This process involves breaking the hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases of the DNA, and helicase utilizes energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to fuel this unwinding action. ATP provides the necessary energy for the conformational changes in helicase, enabling it to disrupt the hydrogen bonds and promote the separation of the DNA strands.
The use of helicase and ATP in prokaryotic transcription highlights the molecular mechanisms that drive the initial stages of gene expression. The energy from ATP is essential for the dynamic processes involved in DNA unwinding, ensuring the accurate and controlled initiation of transcription in prokaryotic cells.
In prokaryotes, helicase, powered by the energy from ATP hydrolysis, plays a crucial role in opening the DNA double helix before transcription, illustrating the intricacies of molecular processes essential for gene expression in these organisms.