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Multiple Choice
What happens when the enzyme DNA helicase is released during DNA replication?
A
It synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.
B
It unwinds the DNA double helix, separating the two strands.
C
It removes RNA primers from the newly synthesized DNA.
D
It joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of DNA helicase in DNA replication: DNA helicase is an enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix, separating the two strands to allow replication to occur.
Recognize that DNA replication requires the separation of the two DNA strands to provide a template for the synthesis of new strands.
Identify that DNA helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide base pairs, allowing the two strands to separate.
Differentiate the role of DNA helicase from other enzymes involved in DNA replication, such as DNA polymerase, which synthesizes new DNA strands, and DNA ligase, which joins Okazaki fragments.
Conclude that the primary function of DNA helicase is to unwind the DNA double helix, facilitating the replication process by providing single-stranded DNA templates.