Final answer:
Transcription is the process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template. The steps include initiation, elongation, and termination. RNA polymerase is the enzyme involved in transcription. The starting material is a DNA template strand, and the end product is a strand of mRNA. Promoters are DNA sequences where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription, and terminator sequences signal the end of transcription.
Step-by-step explanation:
The steps of transcription:
- Initiation: RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of a gene, causing the DNA to unwind. The polymerase begins to read the bases and synthesize a complementary strand of mRNA.
- Elongation: The polymerase continues to add nucleotides to the mRNA strand.
- Termination: The polymerase reaches a terminator sequence on the DNA, which signals the end of transcription. The mRNA strand is complete.
The enzyme involved in transcription: The enzyme responsible for transcription is RNA polymerase.
The starting material: The starting material for transcription is a DNA template strand.
The end product: The end product of transcription is a strand of mRNA.
A promoter: A promoter is a region on the DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription. It is located upstream of the transcription start site.
A terminator sequence: A terminator sequence is a specific DNA sequence that signals the end of transcription. When the polymerase reaches this sequence, it detaches from the DNA.