Final answer:
RNA leader sequences are versatile as they can change structure and function in response to environmental factors. They include stem-and-loop structures that play a role in gene expression. Promoter regions in prokaryotes show consensus sequences where transcription is initiated.
Step-by-step explanation:
RNA leader sequences are versatile in that they can alter their stem-loop structures and thus their function in response to a wide variety of environmental cues. The dynamic nature of RNA enables it to form complex stem-and-loop structures as a result of internal hydrogen bonding, which can greatly influence RNA function. For example, such structures are crucial in the regulation of gene expression, particularly in the termination of transcription where a hairpin loop in the RNA molecule can signal the RNA polymerase to stop adding nucleotides to the growing RNA chain.
The -10 and -35 regions of prokaryotic promoters, known as consensus sequences, are important because they are recognized by RNA polymerase and are similar among various bacterial species, albeit not identical. This characteristic enables the initiation of transcription in a wide range of bacterial cells. A promoter is a specific sequence of DNA nucleotides where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.