Question

RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase:

A) Amplifies the siRNA signal
B) Is the primary RdRP suppressor molecule
C) Is an alternative name for RNA Pol II
D) Suppresses transcription
E) Requires DNA as a template

Answer 1

RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRP) synthesizes RNA from an RNA template and is typically found in RNA viruses, which is not mentioned in the choices provided. RNA polymerase, in contrast, synthesizes RNA from a DNA template and is present in all organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is an enzyme found in RNA viruses that synthesizes RNA from an RNA template, as opposed to the typical DNA template used by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. RdRP is therefore essential for the replication of RNA viruses. In the list provided, the answer to what RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase does is not correctly stated. RdRP does not amplify the siRNA signal, is not a suppressor molecule, is not an alternative name for RNA Pol II, does not suppress transcription, nor does it require DNA as a template. Instead, RdRP uses RNA as a template to produce a complementary RNA strand.

RNA polymerase, on the other hand, is an enzyme that synthesizes RNA, but it typically uses DNA as a template, and it is found in all organisms, not just RNA viruses. It initiates transcription at DNA sequences called promoters, and it is inhibited by certain molecules like Actinomycin-D, which interferes with its template reading ability.