Question

What is the role of RNA Polymerase in elongation?

Answer 1

RNA polymerases:

1. RNA polymerases catalyze RNA synthesis.

2. To transcribe a gene, RNA polymerase proceeds to undergo many steps, which are grouped into three phases:

(i) Initiation

(ii) Elongation

(iii) Termination.

Role of RNA Polymerase in elongation:
1. RNA polymerase moves along the DNA and unwinds the double-stranded DNA into two separate strands.

2. One strand, called the sense strand, acts as a template strand for mRNA synthesis.

3. The enzyme, RNA polymerase, utilizes dNTPs as raw material and polymerizes them to form mRNA.

4. This process of opening of helix and elongation of the polypeptide chain continues till the enzyme reaches the terminator region.