Question

While RNA polymerase is sliding down the template, a small region of the protein termed the ______ separates the RNA-DNA hybrid.

Multiple choice question.

Answer 1

The small region of the RNA polymerase protein that separates the RNA-DNA hybrid is called the termination region, and it is involved in the process of transcription termination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The small region of the RNA polymerase protein that separates the RNA-DNA hybrid while the polymerase is sliding down the template is called the termination region. In bacterial RNA polymerase, termination can occur through two mechanisms: rho-dependent termination and rho-independent termination. In rho-independent termination, the mRNA folds back on itself, forming a stable hairpin structure that causes the polymerase to stall. This allows for the release of the RNA transcript.