A student makes a claim that a cell is undergoing the process of transcription. What evidence would be present to support this claim?

RNA polymerase is using a single strand of the DNA molecule as a template for mRNA production.

1. Fluorescent methods to observe the transcription site.

2. The presence of a promoter.

See explanation below.

Explanation:

Transcription is the process in which genetic information from the DNA is copied into RNA in order to produce proteins.

It consists of a series of steps (very summarized):

1. First, the RNA polymerase binds to a promoter.

2. RNA polymerase separates the two DNA strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds.

3. RNA polymerase starts adding the complementary RNA nucleotides.

4. Then, the RNA polymerase forms the RNA sugar-phosphate backbone.

5. The new RNA strand is formed.

According to research methods, to determine that a cell is going through the process of transcription, the student can make use of a bacteriophage coat protein (for example, MS2), which will be labeled with a fluorescent protein for observation through the microscope.

After this, when stem loops are in the right location (5' UTR), the student will be able to observe the RNA after the initiation of the elongation step and the transcription site will become visible once the coat protein binds to the new RNA, which occurs at the site of transcription. Here, the transcription site will be fluorescent, hence, it will allow the student to determine the cell is going through the process of transcription. (Ferguson and Larson, 2018).

Also, an easy way to know would be that the student ensures there is a presence of a promoter, as it is the key to initiate the process.