GATE 2023 BT – Question 11
Eukaryotic transcription is carried out by
Practise this question in The GATE Grind →
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Explanation
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, so the enzyme must read **DNA** and make **RNA**: a **DNA-dependent RNA polymerase**.
- **DNA-dependent DNA polymerase:** replicates DNA.
- **RNA-dependent DNA polymerase:** reverse transcriptase (retroviruses, telomerase).
- **RNA-dependent RNA polymerase:** replicates RNA viruses.
In eukaryotes RNA polymerase II makes mRNA (and I and III make rRNA and tRNA). Answer **A**.