Question

RNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of a bond between the ______ group of one nucleotide and the ______ group on the previous nucleotide.

Answer 1

Answer: 3' hydroxyl group; 5' phosphate group.

Explanation: RNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of a bond between the 3' hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group on the previous nucleotide.

Therefore, the correct choice is:

3' hydroxyl group; 5' phosphate group.

Answer 2

RNA polymerase forms a bond between the 3'-OH group of one nucleotide and the phosphate group on the previous one during transcription. This process forms a growing RNA chain in the 5' to 3' direction and relies on the enzyme's ability to add nucleotides complementary to the DNA template without needing a primer.

Step-by-step explanation:

RNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of a bond between the 3'-OH group of one nucleotide and the phosphate group on the previous nucleotide.

This enzyme is crucial in the process of transcription, where it adds nucleotides to the 3'-OH group of the growing mRNA molecule that are complementary to the template strand of the DNA, forming phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotides in the RNA.

The polymerase moves from the 3' to 5' direction on the DNA template while synthesizing RNA, which grows in the 5' to 3' direction.

The RNA polymerase requires a DNA template, ribonucleotide 5' triphosphates (ATP, UTP, CTP, GTP), and Mg2+ for proper function. Additionally, the polymerase does not require a primer to initiate RNA synthesis, which differs from DNA polymerase.