AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The goal of transcription is to make a RNA copy of a gene’s DNA sequence. For a protein-coding gene, the RNA copy, or transcript, carries the information needed to build a polypeptide (protein or protein subunit). Eukaryotic transcripts need to go through some processing steps before translation into proteins.

Detailed explanation-2: -As complex molecule composed of protein subunits, RNA polymerase controls the process of transcription, during which the information stored in a molecule of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA.

Detailed explanation-3: -The process of transcription makes new molecules of RNA, which are then translated into proteins. By transcribing DNA to mRNA, DNA can stay protected in the nucleus while the cell carries out protein synthesis using mRNA in the cytoplasm, thus minimizing any damage or mutations to DNA.

Detailed explanation-4: -Proteins are made from a sequence of amino acids rather than nucleotides. Transcription and translation are the two processes that convert a sequence of nucleotides from DNA into a sequence of amino acids to build the desired protein. These two processes are essential for life.

Detailed explanation-5: -In transcription (and in DNA replication), nucleotides are added on to the 3’ OH of the growing chain. So, RNA synthesis is always in the 5’-3’ direction. Unlike DNA synthesis, a primer is not needed for initiating a new strand.