Question

What are the components of a transcription unit?

Answer 1

• The process of copying genetic information from antisense or template strand of the DNA into RNA is called transcription.
• The segment of DNA that takes part in transcription is called transcription unit. It has three components - A promoter, the structural gene and a terminator.
  
• A promoter is a region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene. Promoters are located near the transcription start sites of genes on the same strand and upstream on the DNA.
  
• A structural gene is a gene that codes for an RNA or protein product other than a regulatory factor (i.e. regulatory protein). It may code for a structural protein, an enzyme, or an RNA molecule not involved in regulation.
  
• A terminator is a sequence of DNA that causes RNA polymerase to terminate transcription.