RNA polymerase synthesizes a single-stranded copy of RNA based on which template?

RNA polymerase synthesizes a single-stranded copy of RNA based on which template?

• A. Messenger RNA
• B. RNA strand
• C. DNA strand
• D. Lipid strand

Answer: (C)

Transcription uses a DNA template to guide synthesis of RNA. RNA polymerase reads the template DNA strand (the antisense strand) and builds a single-stranded RNA that is complementary to that template. Because thymine in DNA pairs with adenine, the RNA sequence ends up nearly identical to the other DNA strand (the coding strand), substituting uracil for thymine. So the template is the DNA strand, not RNA or lipid, and the messenger RNA is the product, not the template.

Transcription uses a DNA template to guide synthesis of RNA. RNA polymerase reads the template DNA strand (the antisense strand) and builds a single-stranded RNA that is complementary to that template. Because thymine in DNA pairs with adenine, the RNA sequence ends up nearly identical to the other DNA strand (the coding strand), substituting uracil for thymine. So the template is the DNA strand, not RNA or lipid, and the messenger RNA is the product, not the template.