Differences between DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase?

Answer 1

A polymerase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of free nucleotides into a single strand. DNA polymerase differs from RNA polymerase in two major respects: * Like all enzymes, DNA polymerase is substrate-specific. DNA polymerase cannot extend a single strand of DNA; it needs at least a short segment of double-stranded DNA at the outset. * As its name implies, DNA polymerase incorporates deoxyribonucleotides into the new strand. RNA polymerase incorporates ribonucleotides. These differences mean that DNA polymerase is active when new DNA strands are formed, as in DNA replication, and RNA polymerase is active when new RNA is formed, as in transcription. Before DNA replication can begin, the two strands must uncoil, so that each can form a template for free nucleotides to attach to. But DNA polymerase cannot get started with a single strand! In vivo(in the cell) RNA polymerase, which is active in the presence of single-stranded DNA, catalyzes the incorporation of a handful of nucleotides into a new strand. The short length of double-stranded nucleic acid that is produced enables DNA polymerase to swing into action. This still leaves a potential difficulty: the nucleotides incorporated in the presence of RNA polymerase are the wrong sort (ribonucleotides). They are subsequently replaced by DNA polymerase. In vitro (during PCR, the polymerase chain reaction) a primer, specially synthesized in a laboratory, attaches to a specific segment of single-stranded DNA, and the DNA polymerase takes over from there. The primer consists of a short length of single-stranded DNA that uniquely complements a specific DNA segment that is targeted for amplification, for example for forensic analysis.

In practice, there are several different DNA polymerases and RNA polymerases in an organism.

Answer 2

DNA polymerase is involved in synthesizing DNA during replication, ensuring accuracy and high fidelity in copying the genetic material. RNA polymerase, on the other hand, is responsible for transcribing DNA into RNA during gene expression. Additionally, DNA polymerase requires a primer to initiate synthesis, while RNA polymerase does not.

Answer 3

RNA is usually single stranded while DNA is double stranded. RNA uses the base uracil instead of the base thymine used by DNA. RNA polymerase does not need to use the enzyme helicase to unwind the strands of DNA, nor does it need a primer to transcribe. DNA polymerase needs both to replicate DNA. A few of the differences not only between the polymerases but the strands themselves.

Answer 4

polymerase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of free nucleotides into a single strand.

DNA polymerase differs from RNA polymerase in two major respects:

Like all enzymes, DNA polymerase is substrate-specific. DNA polymerase cannot extend a single strand of DNA; it needs at least a short segment of double-stranded DNA at the outset.

As its name implies, DNA polymerase incorporates deoxyribonucleotides into the new strand. RNA polymerase incorporates ribonucleotides.

These differences mean that DNA polymerase is active when new DNA strands are formed, as in DNA replication, and RNA polymerase is active when new RNA is formed, as in transcription.

-Apoorvi

Answer 5

The rRNA is Rybosomal RNA, its the one from which the Rybosomes are made of. The RNA Polymerase is the enzyme in charged of the RNA Transcription, it depends on certain Initiation Factors, the Promotor (usually TATA box) to start it. So rRNA gives the "form" to the Rybosomes found in the Cytoplasm or attached to the RER The RNA Polymerase is an enzyme and it is found inside the Nuclus

Answer 6

DNA Polymerase enzyme requires RNA primer for initiating Replication

RNA Polymerase enyme do not require such primer for its activity

Answer 7

RNA polymerase can initiate RNA synthesis, but DNA polymerase requires a primer to initiate DNA synthesis.

Answer 8

Taq polymerase is a thermally stable DNA polymerase

Answer 9

Helicase unwinds and unzips the parental DNA molecule while RNA polymerase attaches the RNA nucleotides to the DNA strand bases (complementary base pairing)

Answer 10

Taq polymerases are stable in high temperature but DNA polymerases are not stable at high temperature