Question

question 8 of 25
what function does the enzyme dna ligase perform in dna replication?
a. it adds nucleotides to the growing strands of dna by matching complementary bases.
b. it connects sugar-phosphate groups to form a continuous backbone for each dna strand.
c. it unzips dnas double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds connecting nitrogenous bases.
d. it clips sections of supercoiled dna, allowing the molecule to relax and uncoil during replication.

Explanation:

DNA ligase functions to seal the sugar - phosphate backbone gaps (phosphodiester bonds) between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication. Option A is the role of DNA polymerase. Option C is done by helicase. Option D is the job of topoisomerase.

Answer:

B. It connects sugar-phosphate groups to form a continuous backbone for each DNA strand.