Gene expression refers to all the processes involved in converting [[gene]]tic information from a [[DNA]] sequence, or [[protein]]. In [[prokaryote]]s, there are just two processes required: [[transcription]] and [[translation]]. In [[eukaryote]]s, there is an additional step [[RNA]] processing (splicing), which intervenes.
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The synthesis of a single-stranded RNA molecule using DNA as a template is referred to as transcription. The enzyme that catalyzes this reaction is known as RNA polymerase. Although the subunit structure and details of the process differ significantly in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the chemical reaction is identical.