Question

Which statement about RNA polymerase is not true?

a. RNA polymerase can initiate RNA synthesis from scratch and does not require a primer.
b. RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA 5' to 3'.
c. RNA polymerase reads DNA 3' to 5'.
d. RNA polymerase normally transcribes both strands of DNA during expression of a particular gene.
e. RNA polymerase must bind to a promoter in order to initiate transcription.

Answer 1

RNA polymerase reads the DNA template 3' to 5', but synthesizes the RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that RNA polymerase reads DNA 3' to 5' is not true. RNA polymerase actually reads the DNA template 3' to 5', but synthesizes the RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction. This means that RNA polymerase adds complementary RNA nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing RNA strand.

For example, if the DNA template is 5'-ATCG-3', RNA polymerase will add RNA nucleotides in the order of 3'-UAGC-5' to the growing RNA strand.

Therefore, option C is the statement that is not true.