Question

How does initiation of transcription happen in bacterial cells? How about elongation? Termination?

Answer 1

Initiation of transcription in bacterial cells involves RNA polymerase binding to the promoter region and making an mRNA strand. Elongation occurs as RNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the mRNA strand. Transcription terminates when RNA polymerase crosses a termination sequence in the gene.

Step-by-step explanation:

Initiation of Transcription in Bacterial Cells:

1. RNA polymerase binding: The enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a gene region called the promoter.
2. DNA unwinding: This binding signals the DNA to unwind, allowing the enzyme to read the bases in one of the DNA strands.
3. Making mRNA strand: RNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides, creating a strand of mRNA.
4. Elongation: During elongation, RNA polymerase adds more nucleotides to the mRNA strand.
5. Termination: Transcription ends when RNA polymerase crosses a termination sequence in the gene, and the mRNA strand detaches from DNA.