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Multiple Choice
What is formed when reverse transcriptase is used on a strand of mRNA?
A
tRNA (transfer RNA)
B
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
C
cDNA (complementary DNA)
D
mRNA (messenger RNA)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of reverse transcriptase: Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template. This process is known as reverse transcription.
Identify the substrate: In this problem, the substrate is mRNA (messenger RNA), which serves as the template for reverse transcription.
Determine the product of reverse transcription: When reverse transcriptase acts on mRNA, it synthesizes a complementary DNA strand, known as complementary DNA (cDNA).
Clarify the nature of cDNA: cDNA is a single-stranded DNA that is complementary to the mRNA template. It does not contain introns, as it is synthesized from processed mRNA.
Conclude the process: The formation of cDNA from mRNA via reverse transcriptase is a crucial step in molecular biology, often used in cloning and gene expression studies.