what are the similarities and differences between RNA Polymerase and DNA Polymerase?

Question

what are the similarities and differences between RNA Polymerase and DNA Polymerase?

Answer 1

Following is NOT a difference between DNA and RNA polymerases:

RNA polymerases can begin synthesis with a single nucleotide while DNA polymerases cannot.



Following are differences between DNA and RNA polymerases:

DNA polymerases proofread their work while RNA polymerases do not

DNA polymerases are processive while RNA polymerases are not

RNA polymerases utilize ribonucleotides while DNA polymerases use Deoxyribonucleotides

DNA polymerases synthesize nucleic acids faster then RNA polymerases.



I'm pretty sure about these. They come from a former test question in Genetics. If i'm wrong please say something!

Answer 2

One more difference is that DNA polymerases generally have an error detection/correction functionality. A base pairing mismatch just made is detected, and it's cut off; the whole DNA polymerase backs up one position for a do-over. RNA polymerases do not have the error detection/correction functionality.

Answer 3

Differences :-





A polymerase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of free nucleotides into a single strand.

DNA polymerase differs from RNA polymerase in two major respects:



-Like all enzymes, DNA polymerase is substrate-specific. DNA polymerase cannot extend a single strand of DNA; it needs at least a short segment of double-stranded DNA at the outset.



-As its name implies, DNA polymerase incorporates deoxyribonucleotides into the new strand. RNA polymerase incorporates ribonucleotides.



These differences mean that DNA polymerase is active when new DNA strands are formed, as in DNA replication, and RNA polymerase is active when new RNA is formed, as in transcription.





Similarities



-both use a polymerase enzyme

-both take place in the nucleus

-both utilize base pairing

Answer 4

Both are dependent on nucleic acid codes, use templates require enzymes, coenzymes/co-factors and energy. Replication is based on the pairing specificity of the bases AGCT (A pairs with T; G with C and vice versa) and of course results in new DNA strands. The process takes place in the nucleus (in eukaryotic cells). Protein codes are composed of triplets of bases (codons); the sequences of codons specify the sequences of amino acids in the resulting polypeptide/ protein. Protein synthesis occurs outside the nucleus in eukaryotic cells, specifically in ribosomes.