What is the role of the 5' cap in mRNA processing?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the role of the 5' cap in mRNA processing?
To signal the start of translation
To protect mRNA from degradation
To facilitate splicing
To enhance transcription
The 5' cap protects mRNA from degradation and assists in the initiation of translation by helping ribosomes recognize the mRNA.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the role of the 5' cap in mRNA processing?
Solution: The 5' cap protects mRNA from degradation and assists in the initiation of translation by helping ribosomes recognize the mRNA.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that mRNA is a type of molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to make proteins.
Step 2: Learn that the 5' cap is a special structure added to the beginning of the mRNA molecule.
Step 3: Know that the 5' cap protects the mRNA from being broken down by enzymes in the cell.
Step 4: Realize that the 5' cap helps ribosomes, which are the machines that make proteins, to find and attach to the mRNA.
Step 5: Conclude that without the 5' cap, mRNA would be more likely to degrade and ribosomes would have a harder time starting the process of making proteins.
