Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing RNA by using a DNA template during transcription?

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing RNA by using a DNA template during transcription?

• A. DNA polymerase
• B. Ligase
• C. Helicase
• D. RNA polymerase

Answer: (D)

Transcription is the process of building RNA from a DNA template, and the enzyme that does this is RNA polymerase. It binds to the DNA at promoter regions, unwinds a small stretch, and uses ribonucleotides to synthesize an RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction, adding nucleotides that are complementary to the DNA template. The RNA produced mirrors the coding sequence (with uracil replacing thymine) and does not require a primer to start. This distinguishes it from DNA polymerase, which copies DNA during replication and typically needs a primer, while ligase seals gaps and helicase unwinds DNA without making RNA.

Transcription is the process of building RNA from a DNA template, and the enzyme that does this is RNA polymerase. It binds to the DNA at promoter regions, unwinds a small stretch, and uses ribonucleotides to synthesize an RNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction, adding nucleotides that are complementary to the DNA template. The RNA produced mirrors the coding sequence (with uracil replacing thymine) and does not require a primer to start. This distinguishes it from DNA polymerase, which copies DNA during replication and typically needs a primer, while ligase seals gaps and helicase unwinds DNA without making RNA.