What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of copying the genetic code from DNA onto an mRNA molecule.

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Why do hydrogen bonds need to broken in transcription?

Hydrogen bonds need to be broken to unwind the double helix and separate the DNA strands.

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What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

RNA polymerase forms phosphodiester bonds between RNA nucleotides to form an mRNA molecule.

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What happens when RNA polymerase reaches a stop signal?

When RNA polymerase reaches a stop signal, it stops making mRNA and detaches from the DNA.

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Where in the cell does transcription take place?

Transcription takes place in the nucleus of a cell. 

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What is splicing?

Splicing is the process of removing introns from a pre-mRNA molecule.

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What happens to mRNA strands after transcription?

After transcription, mRNA strands leave the nucleus for the next stage of protein synthesis (translation).

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Why does prokaryotic mRNA not undergo splicing?

Prokaryotic DNA does not contain introns.

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What are the steps involved in transcription?

  1. Hydrogen bonds are broken to unwind the double helix and separate the DNA strands. 
  2. Free RNA nucleotides attract to their complementary bases on one DNA strand.
  3. RNA polymerase forms phosphodiester bonds between RNA nucleotides to make mRNA.
  4. When RNA polymerase reaches a stop signal, it stops making mRNA and detaches from the DNA.

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