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Multiple Choice
Which enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds between the strands of parental DNA during DNA replication?
A
Helicase
B
DNA ligase
C
DNA polymerase
D
Topoisomerase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of each enzyme listed in the context of DNA replication.
Recall that DNA replication involves unwinding the double helix to separate the two parental strands.
Identify that the enzyme responsible for breaking the hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs to separate the strands is the one that 'unzips' the DNA.
Recognize that Helicase is the enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the strands, allowing the replication fork to form.
Differentiate Helicase from other enzymes: DNA ligase joins Okazaki fragments, DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands, and Topoisomerase relieves supercoiling tension.