Question

What is 5' capping? What function does it serve?

A) Adding a poly(A) tail to the 5' end
B) Removing introns from the mRNA sequence
C) Attaching a modified nucleotide to the 5' end
D) Joining exons together

Answer 1

5' capping is the process of adding a 7-methylguanosine cap to the 5' end of an RNA transcript. It protects the mRNA from degradation and helps in translation initiation. The 5' cap aids in the export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Step-by-step explanation:

5' capping is the process of adding a 7-methylguanosine cap to the 5' end of a growing RNA transcript. This modification protects the mRNA from degradation and helps initiate translation by ribosomes during protein synthesis. The 5' cap is recognized by factors involved in protein synthesis, which aids in the export of the mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.