7.

3 Transcription

Topic 7 Nucleic Acids & Proteins

Transcription

7.3.1 State that transcription is carried out in a 5 3

direction. (The 5 end of the free RNA nucleotide is added to
the 3 end of the RNA molecule that is already synthesized).

7.3.2 Distinguish between the sense and antisense strands of

DNA.
The sense strand (coding strand) has the same base sequence
as mRNA with uracil instead of thymine. The antisense
(template) strand is transcribed.

Transcription

7.3.3 Explain the process of transcription in prokaryotes,

including the role of the promoter region, RNA polymerase,
nucleoside triphosphates and the terminator.
The following details are not required: there is more than
one type of RNA polymerase; features of the promoter
region; the need for transcription protein factors for RNA
polymerase binding; TATA boxes (and other repetitive
sequences); and the exact sequence of the bases that act as
terminators.

Transcription

7.3.4 State that eukaryotic RNA needs the removal of

introns to form mature mRNA.
Further details of the process of post-transcriptional
modification of RNA are not required.

Transcription

Transcription is the formation of a molecule of messenger

RNA (mRNA) from a DNA template in the nucleus.
Transcription is carried out in a 5 3 direction.
DNA acts as a template but only one side of the DNA double
helix is a gene. This is called the antisense strand.
The antisense strand is transcribed into mRNA by RNA
polymerase.
The other side is complementary to the antisense strand and
is called the sense strand.
The sense strand has the same sequence of bases as the
mRNA except with T not U.

Transcription

Ref: Biology for the IB Diploma, Allott

Transcription

Ref: IB Biology, Oxford Study Courses

Transcription

The Promoter Region

RNA Polymerase

A specific sequence of DNA bases at the start of the gene to

which RNA polymerase binds.
It is found on the sense strand.
The enzyme adds nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) using base
pairing to the DNA antisense strand.

Terminator Region

A specific sequence of DNA bases marking the end of the

transcription process. RNA polymerase breaks free and the
mRNA strand is released. It is found on the sense strand.

Role of the Promoter and Terminator in

Transcription

Ref: Biology for the IB Diploma, Allott

Introns and Exons

Many genes in Eukaryotes contain Introns.

These are non-coding sequences that are transcribed but
not translated.
The are found in newly transcribed mRNA but removed
to form mature mRNA.
The sequences that are not removed are called Exons.
Prokaryotes do not usually have introns.
The removal of introns is called post-transcriptional
modification of RNA.

Introns and Exons

Ref: IB Biology, Oxford Study Courses

Transcription

7.3.1 State that transcription is carried out in a 5 3

direction. (The 5 end of the free RNA nucleotide is added to
the 3 end of the RNA molecule that is already synthesized).

7.3.2 Distinguish between the sense and antisense strands of

DNA.
The sense strand (coding strand) has the same base sequence
as mRNA with uracil instead of thymine. The antisense
(template) strand is transcribed.

Transcription

7.3.3 Explain the process of transcription in prokaryotes,

including the role of the promoter region, RNA polymerase,
nucleoside triphosphates and the terminator.
The following details are not required: there is more than
one type of RNA polymerase; features of the promoter
region; the need for transcription protein factors for RNA
polymerase binding; TATA boxes (and other repetitive
sequences); and the exact sequence of the bases that act as
terminators.

Transcription

7.3.4 State that eukaryotic RNA needs the removal of

introns to form mature mRNA.
Further details of the process of post-transcriptional
modification of RNA are not required.