Class 12 · Molecular Basis of Inheritance

RNA Polymerase III and tRNA/snRNA — NEET Biology

✅ Asked in NEET 2024
✅ NEET 2024 PYQ · Asked 3 times

Match List I with List II: A. RNA polymerase III B. Termination of transcription C. Splicing of exons D. TATA box List II I. snRNPs II. Promoter III. Rho factor IV. snRNAs, tRNA

Q1 of 3NEET 2024

Match List I with List II: A. RNA polymerase III B. Termination of transcription C. Splicing of exons D. TATA box List II I. snRNPs II. Promoter III. Rho factor IV. snRNAs, tRNA

Q2 of 3NEET 2023

What is the role of RNA polymerase III in the process of transcription in eukaryotes? (NEET 2023)

Q3 of 3NEET 2021

What is the role of RNA polymerase III in transcription in eukaryotes? (NEET 2021)

Answer & NCERT explanation

Correct answer: D A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II

Correct matching: A-IV (RNA polymerase III transcribes snRNAs and tRNA), B-III (Rho factor terminates transcription), C-I (snRNPs splice exons), D-II (TATA box is a promoter element). This tests knowledge of transcription machinery. RNA Pol III makes small RNAs, Rho protein causes transcription termination in prokaryotes, snRNPs form spliceosomes for RNA processing, and TATA box is a core promoter sequence in eukaryotes.

Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ

📖 NCERT Source

The RNA polymerase II transcribes precursor of mRNA, the heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA).

NCERT Biology · Class 12 · Chapter 5 · Paragraph 85
How NTA Uses This Concept

RNA Polymerase III specifically transcribes tRNA, 5S rRNA, and snRNAs, while RNA Pol II transcribes mRNA precursor (hnRNA), and RNA Pol I transcribes 28S, 18S, and 5.8S rRNA. Students often confuse which polymerase transcribes which RNA type, especially mixing up tRNA assignment between Pol II and Pol III. The key distinguishing feature: Pol III handles transfer RNA and small RNAs involved in splicing/translation. Remember: Pol I (large rRNAs), Pol II (mRNA/hnRNA), Pol III (tRNA/snRNA/5S rRNA). This appears repeatedly in NEET because it tests precise understanding of transcription machinery and RNA classification, making it high-yield for multiple-choice questions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does NCERT say about RNA polymerase II transcribes?
The RNA polymerase II transcribes precursor of mRNA, the heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA).
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Yes — appeared in NEET 2024, 2023, 2021. RNA pol III transcribing tRNA/snRNAs covers main distinguishing match
Which chapter is this from?
Molecular Basis of Inheritance, Class 12 NCERT Biology.

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