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Multiple Choice
Which of the following enzymes is primarily responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during replication?
A
Ligase
B
Primase
C
Helicase
D
DNA polymerase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of DNA replication: DNA replication is the process by which a cell duplicates its DNA before cell division. It involves several enzymes that each play a specific role.
Identify the role of each enzyme listed: Ligase is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand. Primase synthesizes RNA primers needed to start DNA synthesis. DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.
Focus on the unwinding of the DNA double helix: During replication, the DNA double helix must be unwound to allow the replication machinery access to the template strands.
Recognize the enzyme responsible for unwinding: Helicase is the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, allowing the strands to be separated.
Conclude the identification: Based on the roles of the enzymes, Helicase is primarily responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during replication.