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Ch. 3 The Cell
Amerman- Human Anatomy & Physiology 3e
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 15b

Each of the following statements about protein synthesis is false. Correct each to make a true statement.
A transcription factor must bind to the promoter region of a gene before the enzyme DNA synthetase is able to bind and begin transcription.

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1
Understand the process of transcription: Transcription is the first step in protein synthesis where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into mRNA. This process requires specific enzymes and factors.
Identify the incorrect term in the statement: The enzyme mentioned, DNA synthetase, is incorrect. The correct enzyme involved in transcription is RNA polymerase, not DNA synthetase.
Correct the role of transcription factors: Transcription factors bind to the promoter region of a gene to help recruit RNA polymerase, which is the enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA during transcription.
Revise the statement: Replace 'DNA synthetase' with 'RNA polymerase' and clarify that transcription factors assist RNA polymerase in binding to the promoter region to initiate transcription.
Final corrected statement: 'A transcription factor must bind to the promoter region of a gene before the enzyme RNA polymerase is able to bind and begin transcription.'

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Key Concepts

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

Transcription Factors

Transcription factors are proteins that regulate the transcription of genes by binding to specific DNA sequences. They play a crucial role in initiating the transcription process by facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of a gene, which is essential for the synthesis of RNA from the DNA template.
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Promoter Region

The promoter region is a specific sequence of DNA located upstream of a gene that serves as the binding site for RNA polymerase and transcription factors. This region is critical for the initiation of transcription, as it determines where transcription begins and regulates the expression of the gene.
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RNA Polymerase

RNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template during the process of transcription. It binds to the promoter region of a gene, unwinds the DNA, and catalyzes the formation of an RNA strand complementary to the DNA template, ultimately leading to protein synthesis.
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