Reverse transcriptase is also called

Options

A. RNA-dependent DNA polymerase
B. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
C. DNA-dependent DNA polymerase
D. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Central Dogma**: The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system. It states that information flows from DNA to RNA (transcription) and then from RNA to protein (translation).

2. **Role of Enzymes in Transcription and Translation**:
- **Transcription**: This is the process where DNA is converted into mRNA. The enzyme responsible for this process is RNA polymerase.
- **Translation**: This is the process where mRNA is translated into proteins.

3. **Introduction to Reverse Transcriptase**: In certain biological processes, the flow of information can be reversed. Instead of going from DNA to RNA, it can go from RNA back to DNA. This process is called reverse transcription.

4. **Formation of cDNA**: During reverse transcription, the mRNA is used as a template to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA). This is the DNA that is complementary to the mRNA.

5. **Function of Reverse Transcriptase**: The enzyme that catalyzes the reverse transcription process is known as reverse transcriptase. It synthesizes cDNA from the mRNA template.

6. **Alternative Name for Reverse Transcriptase**: Reverse transcriptase is also referred to as **RNA-dependent DNA polymerase**. This name reflects its function of synthesizing DNA from an RNA template.

**Final Answer**: Reverse transcriptase is also called RNA-dependent DNA polymerase.

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