Question

In which direction does the DNA dependent RNA polymerase catalyse the polymerisation reaction?

(a) 3’ → 5’

(b) Bidirectional

(c) Direction is dependent on the medium

(d) 5’ → 3’

The question was posed to me during an online exam.

I would like to ask this question from Transcription Basics in section Molecular Basis of Inheritance of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct choice is (d) 5’ → 3’

To explain I would say: The DNA dependent RNA polymerase is an enzyme which has the capability to catalyse the polymerisation reaction in the direction of 5’ → 3’ polarity. The other strand runs along the

 3’ → 5’ direction of polarity is called as the template strand. Whereas, the 5’ → 3’ strand is called as the coding strand.