Question

question 5
what is the function of topoisomerase?
○ relieving strain in the dna ahead of the replication fork
○ elongating new dna at a replication fork by adding nucleotides to the existing chain
○ adding methyl groups to bases of dna
○ unwinding of the double helix

Explanation:

Topoisomerase is an enzyme that acts during DNA replication. When DNA is being replicated, the helicase unwinds the double - helix. As the helicase moves along the DNA, it causes supercoiling (strain) in the DNA ahead of the replication fork. Topoisomerase functions to relieve this strain.

• Elongating new DNA at a replication fork by adding nucleotides to the existing chain is the function of DNA polymerase.
• Adding methyl groups to bases of DNA is a function related to DNA methylation (not the main function of topoisomerase).
• Unwinding of the double - helix is the function of helicase.

Answer:

relieving strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork