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Multiple Choice
Which of the following properties is NOT shared by RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase?
A
Can initiate strand synthesis.
B
Dependent on a DNA sequence template.
C
Catalyzes phosphodiester bond formation.
D
Cannot proofread using a 3'-to-5' exonuclease activity.
E
Polymerizes nucleotides in a 5'-to-3' direction.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the roles of RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase. RNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, while DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA from a DNA template during replication.
Identify the shared properties between RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase. Both enzymes catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds and polymerize nucleotides in a 5'-to-3' direction.
Recognize the unique ability of DNA polymerase to proofread using a 3'-to-5' exonuclease activity, which allows it to correct errors during DNA replication.
Note that RNA polymerase can initiate strand synthesis without a primer, whereas DNA polymerase requires a primer to start synthesis.
Conclude that the property 'Cannot proofread using a 3'-to-5' exonuclease activity' is not shared by RNA polymerase, as it lacks this proofreading ability, unlike DNA polymerase.