Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

15. Gene Expression

Introduction to Transcription

General Biology

15. Gene Expression

Introduction to Transcription

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Biology?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements correctly compares transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the cytoplasm, while in prokaryotes, it occurs in the nucleus.

In prokaryotes, transcription and translation can occur simultaneously, whereas in eukaryotes, they are separated by the nuclear envelope.

Prokaryotic mRNA undergoes extensive post-transcriptional modification before translation, unlike eukaryotic mRNA.

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes use the same RNA polymerase enzyme for all types of RNA synthesis.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the process of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, and it occurs in different cellular locations depending on the organism type.

Step 2: Recall that in prokaryotes, transcription occurs in the cytoplasm because they lack a nucleus. This allows transcription and translation to occur simultaneously, as the mRNA is immediately accessible to ribosomes.

Step 3: Contrast this with eukaryotes, where transcription occurs in the nucleus. The nuclear envelope separates transcription from translation, which occurs in the cytoplasm. This spatial separation prevents simultaneous transcription and translation.

Step 4: Consider post-transcriptional modifications. In eukaryotes, mRNA undergoes extensive modifications, including 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation, and splicing to remove introns. Prokaryotic mRNA does not typically undergo such modifications.

Step 5: Evaluate the statement about RNA polymerase. Prokaryotes use a single RNA polymerase for all types of RNA synthesis, whereas eukaryotes have three distinct RNA polymerases (RNA polymerase I, II, and III) specialized for different types of RNA.