Multiple Choice
What role does helicase play in DNA replication?
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8. DNA Replication
Overview of DNA Replication
Multiple Choice
In the overview of DNA replication, which enzyme is primarily responsible for synthesizing a new DNA strand by adding nucleotides to the growing 3′ end?
A
DNA ligase
B
DNA polymerase
C
RNA polymerase
D
Helicase
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of each enzyme listed in the problem: DNA ligase, DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, and helicase.
Recall that DNA ligase is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand by forming phosphodiester bonds, but it does not synthesize new DNA strands.
Recognize that helicase unwinds the DNA double helix to separate the two strands, preparing them for replication but does not add nucleotides.
Know that RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription, not DNA replication.
Identify DNA polymerase as the enzyme that adds nucleotides to the 3′ end of a growing DNA strand during replication, synthesizing the new strand complementary to the template.
