When we make RNA from a DNA template we use an enzyme called RNA polymerase. The main subunit is called the sigma factor which recognizes the beginning of a gene. This area is the transcription start region. There are also transcription stop signals. The transcription start region has a promoter, an area that says hey a gene is close by think about making some RNA over here.
Promoters are different in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Quiz 4 is March 4 and covers material up until today. I will post week 7 this afternoon on the web. THe key to quiz 3 is already up. It will be posted to the Web with the rest of week 8 material on March 4. Everything we discuss in class and everything in the book.