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Multiple Choice
Transcription is sometimes described as a process in which RNA is "copied" from the template strand of DNA. This statement is potentially misleading since _____.
A
The nucleotides in RNA contain ribose and cannot be an exact copy of DNA.
B
RNA molecules contain uracil instead of thymine and cannot be an exact copy of DNA.
C
The RNA transcript has a sequence complementary to the template.
D
The RNA transcript and the DNA template strand are antiparallel.
E
All of the above.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of transcription: Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. It involves the enzyme RNA polymerase, which reads the DNA template strand and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand.
Consider the chemical differences between DNA and RNA: DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar. This difference means RNA cannot be an exact copy of DNA.
Examine the nucleotide differences: DNA uses thymine (T), whereas RNA uses uracil (U). Therefore, when RNA is synthesized, uracil is incorporated instead of thymine, making it not an exact copy.
Analyze the sequence relationship: The RNA transcript is complementary to the DNA template strand, meaning the bases pair according to the rules (A-U, T-A, C-G, G-C), resulting in a sequence that is not identical but complementary.
Consider the orientation of strands: The RNA transcript and the DNA template strand are antiparallel, meaning they run in opposite directions (5' to 3' for RNA and 3' to 5' for the DNA template), further indicating that RNA is not an exact copy.