Which term describes a sequence that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription?

Which term describes a sequence that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription?

• A. Promoter
• B. Terminator
• C. Enhancer
• D. Silencer

Answer: (B)

The sequence that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription is a terminator. In bacteria, terminators often work by forming a hairpin structure in the newly made RNA followed by a string of uracils, which causes the RNA polymerase to pause and dissociate, ending transcription. Some terminators rely on the rho factor to terminate transcription by catching up to the polymerase. The promoter is where transcription begins, while enhancers and silencers regulate how much transcription occurs but do not signal termination.

The sequence that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription is a terminator. In bacteria, terminators often work by forming a hairpin structure in the newly made RNA followed by a string of uracils, which causes the RNA polymerase to pause and dissociate, ending transcription. Some terminators rely on the rho factor to terminate transcription by catching up to the polymerase. The promoter is where transcription begins, while enhancers and silencers regulate how much transcription occurs but do not signal termination.