Definition

An enzyme that helps create RNA from a DNA template during the process of transcription, or it can refer to an enzyme that synthesizes DNA from RNA in reverse transcription.

Example

The scientist studied the role of transcriptase in gene expression.

Conversation

Have you heard about transcriptase and its role in DNA transcription?

Yeah, it’s fascinating how it helps create RNA from DNA.

Exactly! I read that without transcriptase, the whole process wouldn't work properly.

Right? It's amazing how these tiny molecules play such big roles in biology.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Transcriptase → It is formed from "trans-" (meaning across) and "script" (from Latin "scribere", meaning to write) and "-ase" (a suffix used in biochemistry to denote enzymes). The word "transcriptase" refers to an enzyme that facilitates the process of writing or synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, effectively carrying information across.

Memory Tip

Think of an enzyme that 'writes' ('script') information 'across' ('trans-') from DNA to RNA, which is what transcriptase does.

Visually Confused Words