Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 40m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 20m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 57m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

15. Gene Expression

Steps of Transcription

General Biology

15. Gene Expression

Steps of Transcription

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0:54 minutes

Problem 1`

Textbook Question

In eukaryotic cells, transcription cannot begin until
a. The two DNA strands have completely separated and exposed the promoter.
b. Several transcription factors have bound to the promoter.
c. The 5′ caps are removed from the mRNA.
d. The DNA introns are removed from the template.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, specifically mRNA, in eukaryotic cells.

Recognize that transcription begins at a specific region of the DNA called the promoter, which is a sequence of DNA that signals the start of a gene.

Identify that transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, such as the promoter, to regulate the transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA.

Note that in eukaryotic cells, transcription cannot begin until several transcription factors have bound to the promoter region. This binding is necessary to recruit RNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from the DNA template.

Conclude that the correct condition for transcription to begin in eukaryotic cells is the binding of several transcription factors to the promoter, which is option b.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transcription Initiation in Eukaryotes

Transcription initiation in eukaryotic cells involves the assembly of transcription factors at the promoter region of DNA. These factors are essential for recruiting RNA polymerase II, which synthesizes mRNA. Unlike prokaryotes, eukaryotic transcription requires multiple proteins to recognize and bind to the promoter before transcription can begin.

Role of Transcription Factors

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, controlling the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA. In eukaryotes, they are crucial for the initiation of transcription, as they help position RNA polymerase at the start site and facilitate the unwinding of DNA strands to expose the template.

Promoter Region

The promoter is a DNA sequence located upstream of a gene that serves as a binding site for transcription factors and RNA polymerase. It is essential for the regulation of gene expression, as it determines where transcription begins. In eukaryotic cells, the promoter must be accessible and bound by transcription factors for transcription to initiate.