RNA polymerase on its own is capable of catalyzing the process of

Options

A. Elongation
B. Initiation
C. Termination
D. All of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding RNA Polymerase**: RNA polymerase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process of transcription, where DNA is converted into RNA.

2. **Identifying the Key Events in Transcription**: The transcription process consists of three main stages:
- **Initiation**: This is the beginning phase where RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the DNA to start transcription.
- **Elongation**: During this phase, RNA polymerase synthesizes the RNA strand by adding nucleotides complementary to the DNA template.
- **Termination**: This is the final phase where RNA polymerase stops transcription and releases the newly synthesized RNA molecule.

3. **Role of RNA Polymerase in Each Stage**:
- In **Initiation**, RNA polymerase requires a sigma factor to help it bind to the promoter region of the DNA. This means that while RNA polymerase is essential, it works in conjunction with other factors to initiate transcription.
- In **Elongation**, RNA polymerase directly catalyzes the addition of RNA nucleotides to the growing RNA strand, making it the primary enzyme responsible for this phase.
- In **Termination**, RNA polymerase interacts with a rho factor (in prokaryotes) to help terminate the transcription process. Again, this shows that while RNA polymerase is involved, it works with other factors to complete this stage.

4. **Conclusion**: RNA polymerase is capable of catalyzing all three events of transcription: initiation (with the help of sigma factor), elongation (directly), and termination (with the help of rho factor). Therefore, the answer to the question is that RNA polymerase on its own is capable of catalyzing the process of all of the above events.

**Final Answer**: All of the above.

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