Question

during dna replication, which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the double helix and separating the dna strands?
dna polymerase
helicase
rna polymerase
ligase
question 8
1 pts
what is the primary function of dna polymerase during dna replication?
dna polymerase is responsible for unwinding the double helix structure.
dna polymerase adds new nucleotides to the growing dna strand in the 3 to 5
direction.
dna polymerase detects and repairs errors in the dna sequence.
dna polymerase synthesizes rna primers to initiate replication.

Explanation:

• First question:
• DNA polymerase is involved in adding nucleotides to the new DNA strand. RNA polymerase is for transcription (synthesis of RNA from DNA). Ligase joins DNA fragments. Helicase's role is to unwind the DNA double - helix and separate the strands during replication.
• Second question:
• DNA polymerase adds new nucleotides to the growing DNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction (not 3' to 5'). It also has proof - reading ability which means it can detect and repair errors in the DNA sequence. Unwinding the double - helix is helicase's job. Synthesizing RNA primers is done by primase.

Answer:

• First question: Helicase
• Second question: DNA polymerase detects and repairs errors in the DNA sequence.