Question

During which stage of bacterial transcription is the σ subunit of the RNA polymerase involved?

a) Initiation
b) Elongation
c) Termination
d) Processing

Answer 1

The σ subunit of RNA polymerase is involved in the initiation stage of bacterial transcription, facilitating the enzyme's binding to DNA promoter regions.a) Initiation

Step-by-step explanation:

The σ subunit of the RNA polymerase is involved during the initiation stage of bacterial transcription. The σ subunit helps the RNA polymerase enzyme to recognize and bind to specific promoter regions on the DNA, which is crucial for initiating transcription. Once initiation is complete and the RNA polymerase has begun to synthesize mRNA, the σ subunit is released from the polymerase, which then proceeds with the elongation phase of transcription.