In eukaryotic cells, transcription cannot begin until
a. The two DNA strands have completely separated and exposed the promoter.
b. Several transcription factors have bound to the promoter.
c. The 5′ caps are removed from the mRNA.
d. The DNA introns are removed from the template.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, specifically mRNA, in eukaryotic cells.

Recognize that transcription begins at a specific region of the DNA called the promoter, which is a sequence of DNA that signals the start of a gene.

Identify that transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, such as the promoter, to regulate the transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA.

Note that in eukaryotic cells, transcription cannot begin until several transcription factors have bound to the promoter region. This binding is necessary to recruit RNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from the DNA template.

Conclude that the correct condition for transcription to begin in eukaryotic cells is the binding of several transcription factors to the promoter, which is option b.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transcription Initiation in Eukaryotes

Transcription initiation in eukaryotic cells involves the assembly of transcription factors at the promoter region of DNA. These factors are essential for recruiting RNA polymerase II, which synthesizes mRNA. Unlike prokaryotes, eukaryotic transcription requires multiple proteins to recognize and bind to the promoter before transcription can begin.

Role of Transcription Factors

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, controlling the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA. In eukaryotes, they are crucial for the initiation of transcription, as they help position RNA polymerase at the start site and facilitate the unwinding of DNA strands to expose the template.

Promoter Region

The promoter is a DNA sequence located upstream of a gene that serves as a binding site for transcription factors and RNA polymerase. It is essential for the regulation of gene expression, as it determines where transcription begins. In eukaryotic cells, the promoter must be accessible and bound by transcription factors for transcription to initiate.

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