The segment of the bacterial TrpA gene involved in intrinsic termination of transcription is the following; 3'-TGGGTCGGGGCGGATTACTGCCCCGAAAAAAAACTTG-5' 5'-ACCCAGCCCCGCCTAATGACGGGGCTTTTTTTTGAAC-3' Label the template and coding DNA strands.

Key Concepts

Template and Coding Strands

In DNA, the template strand is the strand that is read by RNA polymerase during transcription to synthesize RNA. The coding strand, also known as the sense strand, has the same sequence as the RNA transcript (except for thymine being replaced by uracil in RNA). Understanding the distinction between these two strands is crucial for identifying which strand serves as the template for transcription.

Transcription Process

Transcription is the process by which RNA is synthesized from a DNA template. It involves the unwinding of the DNA double helix and the assembly of RNA nucleotides complementary to the template strand. Recognizing the steps of transcription, including initiation, elongation, and termination, is essential for understanding how genes are expressed.

Intrinsic Termination

Intrinsic termination is a mechanism that signals the end of transcription in prokaryotes, such as bacteria. It occurs when a specific sequence in the RNA forms a hairpin structure followed by a series of uracils, causing RNA polymerase to dissociate from the DNA. This concept is important for understanding how transcription is regulated and terminated in bacterial genes.