An experiment was conducted to determine the hairpin loop region in termination. Two DNA templates were prepared and used in in vitro transcription assay. The samples were analyzed for release of the RNA polymerase.
Construct 1 – hairpin sequence removed; Construct 2 – two copies of hairpin sequence inserted; Construct 3 – normal DNA with only one hairpin sequence

Construct Level of truncated Nascent
RNA released (arbitrary units)
1 10
2 11
3 10

The data from this experiment suggest that
A. hairpin loops are not required for termination.
B. two hairpin loops rapidly destabilize the polymerase.
C. the data are inconclusive.
D. additional hairpin loops increase the stability of the RNA:DNA hybrid.
E. both hairpin loops are not required for termination and two hairpin loops rapidly destabilize the polymerase are possible explanations.