Question

These are the steps that occur during transcription. They are not in the correct order. Write numbers in the blanks indicating the order in which these steps occur.


RNA polymerase reaches the termination signal.

The enzyme, RNA polymerase, binds to a site on the DNA molecule called the promoter.

Complimentary RNA nucleotides are added along the DNA template strand.

The RNA strand is released and travels to the cytoplasm.

RNA polymerase separates the DNA strands.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Initiation

Initiation is the beginning of transcription. It occurs when the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a region of a gene called the promoter. This signals the DNA to unwind so the enzyme can ‘‘read’’ the bases in one of the DNA strands. The enzyme is now ready to make a strand of mRNA with a complementary sequence of bases.

Step 2: Elongation

Elongation is the addition of nucleotides to the mRNA strand. RNA polymerase reads the unwound DNA strand and builds the mRNA molecule, using complementary base pairs. During this process, an adenine (A) in the DNA binds to an uracil (U) in the RNA.

Step 3: Termination

Termination is the ending of transcription, and occurs when RNA polymerase crosses a stop (termination) sequence in the gene. The mRNA strand is complete, and it detaches from DNA.