Biology/transcription: where is the promoter?
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Question
where the promoter is located ?? is it on the template strand or the coding strand ? by logic it is located on the template strand and it must be at the begining of the strand which means near the 3' end while it is said to be located near the 5' end upstream to the structural genes ... it's really confusing
Dear Walaa,
The promoter is where the RNA polymerase attaches to begin transcription of a gene. Therefore, it is located on the template strand, since RNA polymerase does not attach to the coding strand.
The coding strand--which is complementary to the template strand--will have the exact same sequence as the promoter. So in a sense, the promoter is represented there, as well.
Hope this helps.
Dana
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Answers by Expert:
Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
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I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!
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At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).
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I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980).
I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.
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I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.
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