Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing RNA during transcription?

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing RNA during transcription?

• A. DNA polymerase synthesizes RNA
• B. RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA
• C. Ligase synthesizes RNA
• D. Helicase synthesizes RNA

Answer: (B)

RNA polymerase is the enzyme that makes RNA during transcription. It reads the DNA template and links ribonucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction to form a complementary RNA transcript. It can start RNA synthesis without a primer and uses ribonucleoside triphosphates as substrates. This sets it apart from the other enzymes: DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA and needs a primer; ligase seals breaks in DNA strands; and helicase unwinds DNA but does not synthesize RNA.

RNA polymerase is the enzyme that makes RNA during transcription. It reads the DNA template and links ribonucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction to form a complementary RNA transcript. It can start RNA synthesis without a primer and uses ribonucleoside triphosphates as substrates. This sets it apart from the other enzymes: DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA and needs a primer; ligase seals breaks in DNA strands; and helicase unwinds DNA but does not synthesize RNA.