Question

Compare and contrast DNA replication and transcription in terms of: _________

a. strands
b. amount replicated
c. number of replications
d. machinery needed
e. new strand characteristics
f. direction of synthesis

Answer 1

DNA replication and transcription have several differences in terms of strands, amount replicated, number of replications, machinery needed, new strand characteristics, and direction of synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Strands: DNA replication involves unwinding and copying both strands of the parent DNA, while transcription only involves copying one strand of the DNA.
2. Amount replicated: During DNA replication, the entire DNA molecule is replicated, while in transcription, only a specific gene or segment of DNA is transcribed.
3. Number of replications: DNA replication occurs only once during the cell cycle, but transcription can occur multiple times for the same gene in different cells or at different times.
4. Machinery needed: DNA replication requires several enzymes, including DNA polymerase, helicase, and primase, while transcription requires RNA polymerase.
5. New strand characteristics: The newly synthesized strands in DNA replication are made of deoxyribose nucleotides and contain the same genetic information as the parent strands, while in transcription, the newly synthesized strand is made of ribose nucleotides and contains a complementary RNA sequence.
6. Direction of synthesis: In DNA replication, both leading and lagging strands are synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, while in transcription, the RNA strand is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction.