Describe How the Activities and Requirements of Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase

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The Answer is The activities and requirements of prokaryotic RNA polymerase and eukaryotic RNA polymerase II are both similar and different in several ways.

Similarities:
1. Both prokaryotic RNA polymerase and eukaryotic RNA polymerase II are responsible for transcribing DNA into RNA.
2. They both require a DNA template and ribonucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) as substrates for RNA synthesis.
3. Both enzymes require divalent metal ions, such as Mg2+, for catalysis of the RNA synthesis reaction.
4. They both require specific promoter sequences on the DNA to initiate transcription.

Differences:
1. Prokaryotic RNA polymerase is a single enzyme complex, while eukaryotic RNA polymerase II is a multi-subunit complex.
2. Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II requires additional transcription factors, such as TFIIB, TFIID, and TFIIH, for transcription initiation, which are not required by prokaryotic RNA polymerase.
3. Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II undergoes extensive post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, to regulate its activity, while prokaryotic RNA polymerase does not undergo similar modifications.
4. Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II transcribes mRNA, while prokaryotic RNA polymerase transcribes both mRNA and non-coding RNAs, such as tRNAs and rRNAs.

In summary, while both prokaryotic RNA polymerase and eukaryotic RNA polymerase II share some common activities and requirements for transcription, they also have distinct differences in their structure, regulation, and specific functions.

Describe How the Activities and Requirements of Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase

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