Biology / Unit 6 Bio 1265 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases I, II, and III
Captions available
The idea
Eukaryotes use three distinct RNA polymerases, of which RNA polymerase II transcribes the pre-mRNA for nearly all protein-coding genes.
In practice
RNA polymerase I transcribes most ribosomal RNA, RNA polymerase II transcribes messenger RNA, and RNA polymerase III transcribes transfer RNA.
Where people slip
Only one of the three, RNA polymerase II, transcribes protein-coding genes — the other two serve structural and catalytic RNA roles instead.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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