Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following enzymes is primarily responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during DNA replication?
A
DNA polymerase
B
Helicase
C
Primase
D
Ligase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of DNA replication: DNA replication is the process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, creating two identical copies. This process is essential for cell division.
Identify the role of each enzyme listed: DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides, primase synthesizes RNA primers needed to start DNA synthesis, ligase joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, and helicase unwinds the DNA double helix.
Focus on the unwinding step: During DNA replication, the double helix must be unwound to allow the replication machinery to access the DNA strands. This is the first step in the replication process.
Determine which enzyme is responsible for unwinding: Among the enzymes listed, helicase is the one that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs.
Conclude that helicase is the enzyme primarily responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during DNA replication.