Multiple Choice
What is one of the roles of DNA polymerase during replication?
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14. DNA Synthesis
DNA Polymerases
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What is the primary function of the enzyme DNA polymerase?
A
It removes RNA primers from the newly synthesized DNA.
B
It unwinds the DNA double helix to initiate replication.
C
It joins Okazaki fragments together on the lagging strand.
D
It synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a pre-existing strand during DNA replication.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication. DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a pre-existing strand, which serves as a template.
Clarify that DNA polymerase does not remove RNA primers. This task is performed by another enzyme called DNA polymerase I or RNase H, depending on the organism.
Note that DNA polymerase does not unwind the DNA double helix. This function is carried out by helicase, which separates the two strands of DNA to initiate replication.
Explain that DNA polymerase does not join Okazaki fragments together. This is the role of DNA ligase, which seals the gaps between fragments on the lagging strand.
Conclude that the primary function of DNA polymerase is to synthesize new DNA strands by adding complementary nucleotides to the template strand during DNA replication, ensuring accurate copying of genetic information.
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