Question

In which direction does RNA polymerase move along the template strand during bacterial transcription elongation?

Options

• 5' → 3' direction

• 3' → 5' direction

• Direction varies with promoter strength

• Both directions simultaneously

Answer 1

During elongation, RNA polymerase moves along the template strand in the 3' → 5' direction. As it moves in this direction, it synthesizes the new RNA strand in the 5' → 3' direction, which is antiparallel to the template strand direction. This antiparallel synthesis is fundamental to DNA-RNA base pairing.