Question

which of the following features is a significant difference in the function of dna polymerases versus rna polymerases? see section 17.1. rna polymerase does not require a primer to add new nucleotides. only rna polymerase adds nucleotide precursors (dntps) to a growing chain. rna polymerase, but not dna polymerase, is an enzyme. dna polymerase extends the growing chain in the 5 to 3 direction, whereas rna polymerase extends growing chains from 3 to 5.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: DNA polymerases need a primer (like a short RNA or DNA segment) to start adding nucleotides, while RNA polymerases can initiate transcription without a primer. This is a key functional difference.
• Analyze Option 2: DNA polymerase adds dNTPs (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates) to form DNA, and RNA polymerase adds NTPs (ribonucleotide triphosphates) to form RNA. So this statement is incorrect.
• Analyze Option 3: Both DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase are enzymes (biological catalysts), so this is wrong.
• Analyze Option 4: Both DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase synthesize nucleic acid chains in the 5' to 3' direction. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. RNA polymerase does not require a primer to add new nucleotides.