RNA and DNA question

Question

RNA polymerase moves along the template strand of DNA in the ________ direction, and adds nucleotides to the _________ end of the growing transcript

A) 3' to 5';5'

B) 3' to 5';3'

C) 5' to 3';5'

D) 5' to 3';3'

Answer 1

B) 3' to 5';3'

New nucleotides are added to the hydroxyl (-OH) group which extends from the 3' carbon of the ribose.

The template strand is in the opposite orientation of the strand being synthesized (regardless of whether it is DNA or RNA being synthesized), and therefore in this case it's 3' to 5'.

Answer 2

B) 3' to 5';3'