Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

10. Transcription

Transcription in Eukaryotes

Genetics

10. Transcription

Transcription in Eukaryotes

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1:27 minutes

Problem 25c

Textbook Question

The accompanying illustration shows a portion of a gene undergoing transcription. The template and coding strands for the gene are labeled, and a segment of DNA sequence is given.

For this gene segment, write the polarity and sequence [TIP 1] of the RNA transcript from the DNA sequence given.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the template strand and the coding strand from the given DNA sequence. The template strand is the strand that RNA polymerase reads to synthesize RNA, while the coding strand has the same sequence as the RNA (except thymine is replaced with uracil in RNA).

Determine the polarity (5' to 3' direction) of the template strand. RNA synthesis occurs in the 5' to 3' direction, so the RNA transcript will be complementary to the template strand and antiparallel in polarity.

Using base-pairing rules, transcribe the RNA sequence from the template strand. Replace adenine (A) in the DNA template with uracil (U) in RNA, thymine (T) with adenine (A), cytosine (C) with guanine (G), and guanine (G) with cytosine (C).

Write the RNA sequence with its polarity explicitly labeled (e.g., 5' to 3'). Ensure that the sequence is written in the correct direction, starting from the 5' end.

Double-check the RNA sequence by comparing it to the coding strand of DNA. The RNA sequence should match the coding strand (except for the replacement of thymine with uracil) and have the correct polarity.

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Key Concepts

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

Transcription

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information encoded in DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, RNA polymerase binds to the DNA template strand and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand, following base-pairing rules where adenine pairs with uracil (instead of thymine) and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Polarity of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, have directionality, often referred to as polarity. The two ends of a nucleic acid strand are designated as the 5' (five-prime) and 3' (three-prime) ends, indicating the orientation of the sugar-phosphate backbone. RNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, meaning that nucleotides are added to the 3' end of the growing RNA strand.

Base Pairing Rules

Base pairing rules dictate how nucleotides pair with each other during the processes of DNA replication and transcription. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine. However, during transcription, uracil replaces thymine in RNA, so adenine in the DNA template pairs with uracil in the RNA transcript, while cytosine still pairs with guanine.

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