Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a primary function of DNA polymerases?
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14. DNA Synthesis
DNA Polymerases
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Which of the following best describes the primary function of a DNA polymerase?
A
It removes RNA primers from the DNA strand.
B
It synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a pre-existing strand.
C
It joins Okazaki fragments together on the lagging strand.
D
It unwinds the DNA double helix during 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 join Okazaki fragments. This function is carried out by DNA ligase, which seals the gaps between fragments on the lagging strand.
Explain that DNA polymerase does not unwind the DNA double helix. This is the role of helicase, an enzyme that separates the two strands of DNA to allow replication to occur.
Conclude that the primary function of DNA polymerase is to synthesize new DNA strands by adding complementary nucleotides to the template strand during replication.
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