Final answer:
E. coli uses one RNA polymerase, composed of five polypeptide subunits, to transcribe all types of RNA; whereas eukaryotes have 14 known DNA polymerases.
Step-by-step explanation:
E. coli, a prokaryotic organism, has a more streamlined set of polymerases compared to eukaryotes. While eukaryotes have 14 known DNA polymerases with five playing major roles, E. coli uses a single RNA polymerase to transcribe all types of RNA. This RNA polymerase consists of five polypeptide subunits, two of which are identical (the alpha subunits). The complete set, also known as the holoenzyme, is necessary for accurate transcription initiation and includes a sigma factor (o) which prevents random transcription and ensures mRNA synthesis begins at the correct site. In E. coli, the DNA is transcribed by this single, well-orchestrated RNA polymerase, which allows for rapid and efficient protein production, making it significantly different from the polymerase diversity seen in eukaryotes.