The enzyme that builds an RNA strand complementary to the template DNA during transcription.
Bacteria use one polymerase with a sigma factor that recognises promoters. Eukaryotes use RNA polymerase I (rRNA), II (mRNA and many small RNAs) and III (tRNA and 5S rRNA). Unlike DNA polymerase, it needs no primer.
α-amanitin from death cap mushrooms blocks RNA polymerase II.
The enzyme that builds an RNA strand complementary to the template DNA during transcription.
RNA Polymerase is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Promoter, DNA Polymerase, Transcription.
Rifampicin treats tuberculosis by blocking bacterial RNA polymerase.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to RNA Polymerase. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to RNA Polymerase are Promoter, DNA Polymerase, Transcription, Okazaki Fragments. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for RNA Polymerase. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
RNA Polymerase: The enzyme that builds an RNA strand complementary to the template DNA during transcription. Promoter: A DNA sequence where RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to start transcription of a gene. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Promoter and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
A DNA sequence where RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to start transcription of a gene.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template.
🧫 Molecular BiologyShort DNA segments synthesised discontinuously on the lagging strand and joined by DNA ligase.
🧫 Molecular Biology