Which is the “Only enzyme” that has “Capability” to catalyse Initiation, Elongation and Termination in the process of transcription in prokaryotes ?
Correct Answer :
DNA dependent RNA polymerase
Solution :
The correct option is DNA dependent RNA polymerase.
Explanation:
In prokaryotic organisms (such as bacteria), transcription is the process where a DNA template is used to synthesize a complementary RNA molecule. Unlike eukaryotes, which have multiple specialized RNA polymerases (RNA Polymerase I, II, and III) for different types of RNA, prokaryotes rely on a single, versatile enzyme to carry out all steps of transcription.
This single enzyme is DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (often simply called RNA polymerase). Let's look at how it catalyzes each phase of transcription:
1. Initiation: The RNA polymerase holoenzyme (consisting of the core enzyme and the sigma factor, σ) recognizes and binds to specific promoter sequences on the DNA template to initiate transcription.
2. Elongation: After initiation, the sigma factor dissociates, and the core enzyme moves along the DNA template, synthesizing the RNA chain by adding complementary ribonucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction.
3. Termination: Once the enzyme reaches a terminator sequence, the synthesized RNA transcript and the enzyme detach from the DNA template. This process is often facilitated by termination factors (like the rho factor, ρ) collaborating with the RNA polymerase.
Thus, DNA dependent RNA polymerase is the only enzyme capable of catalyzing initiation, elongation, and termination in prokaryotic transcription.
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