TRANSCRIPTION

=Transcription= [image:http://i.imgur.com/AikzHp3.png?2] In any given cell, at any given time, only a small fraction of our genes need to be expressed. The cell must make temporary copies of these genes, which can be sent out into the cytoplasm to be expressed. This process is known as transcription. An Enzyme known as RNA polymerase reads only one of the DNA strands known as the ‘template’ stand. RNA polymerase reads over the sequence of bases in a 3’ → 5’ direction, pairing free RNA nucleotides with their complementary bases as it goes. The result is a single stranded RNA copy of the coding DNA sequence (gene). This single stranded RNA copy is capable of leaving the nucleus through small holes in the nuclear membrane known as ‘nuclear pores’. ---- =Comparing DNA & RNA= [image:http://i.imgur.com/UzvBI0Z.png] [image:http://i.imgur.com/0HxMrIG.png?2]