Multiple Choice
What is the role of the enzyme ligase in DNA replication?
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17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination
DNA Repair
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What is the primary function of DNA ligase during DNA replication?
A
It joins Okazaki fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides.
B
It unwinds the DNA double helix to initiate replication.
C
It removes mismatched nucleotides during proofreading.
D
It synthesizes RNA primers to start DNA synthesis.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that DNA replication involves synthesizing new DNA strands complementary to the original strands.
Recognize that the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in short segments called Okazaki fragments.
Identify that these Okazaki fragments need to be joined together to form a continuous DNA strand.
Know that DNA ligase is the enzyme responsible for joining these fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides.
Distinguish DNA ligase's role from other enzymes: it does not unwind DNA (helicase), remove mismatches (exonuclease), or synthesize RNA primers (primase).
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