On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 22:49:50 -0700, "Brandon" <chefaudet at yahoo.com>
wrote:
>Sorry if this question has been asked in the past, I am studying Bio in
>college and had a question I cannot find an answer for.
>>As I understand it, DNA is 'unzipped' by protiens to make RNA which is then
>used to execute the production of some other needed protien
The word is protein.
>etc. I know
>that the nucleotides occur in some given order as determined by the organism
>which is not the same order for any other organism (DNA fingerprint). I
>also know that the nucleotide sequence on one strand has a complementary
>sequence on the other starnd of the 2x helix. Since that complementary
>sequence can also occur on the first strand, which starnd of the 2x helix is
>used to access the info for the process? Given the possibility, I guess,
>that either strand could be used, the nucleotide sequences don't necessarily
>mirror each other, so how is it that the 'correct' strand of the helix is
>used?
The RNA polymerase, the enzyme that makes the RNA copy, recognizes
start sites, which are on the correct strand. Look up "promoter". In
bacteria, it is fairly simple. In higher organisms, it is more
complex, but the same end result.
bob
