Question

Teminism is same as
a. Transcription
b. Translation
c. Reverse transcription
d. DNA synthesis

Answer 1

Teminism is a theory which was given by Temin and Baltimore in 1978. Reverse transcriptase is the group of enzymes associated with feminism. The technique is used in various applications such as Rt-PCR, formation of cDNA, preparation of antiviral drugs.

Complete answer:
Teminism, commonly called reverse transcription is the process by which an RNA template is converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). It is an essential step in the analysis of gene transcripts. Complementary DNA is used in sequencing, cloning, and in gene expression.

Reverse transcriptases used in reverse transcription were discovered by Howard Temin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hence, the term teminism. It was successfully isolated by David Baltimore from two RNA tumor viruses murine leukemia virus and Rous sarcoma virus. Reverse transcriptase is RNA dependent DNA polymerase which binds to RNA and converts it to cDNA sequence in the presence of dNTPs and other cofactors. These are used by HIV and hepatitis B virus to replicate their genome. These viruses contain a genome which is composed of RNA but is reverse transcribed to DNA in host cells.

To carry out the process of reverse transcription following things are required:
• RNA template – it should have the mRNA (messenger RNA). This template is heated in order for it to be linearized prior to annealing primers.
• Primers – it is a nucleic acid sequence which provides a starting point of DNA synthesis. There are three types of primers required for this process
- Gene specific primers
- Random hexamers
- Oligo dTs (synthetic DNA strands)
• Reverse transcriptase

Hence, the correct answer is option (c).

Note: Reverse transcription is widely used in molecular biology and production of antiviral drugs. In molecular biology, it is used in RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction). RNA is transcribed into DNA by this technique. It is also used in production of insulin.