Enzymes in DNA Replication

Question 1

DNA Helicase

Answer 1

Unwinds the double helix shape of DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between complimentary base pairs

Question 2

DNA Polymerase III

Answer 2

An enzyme that adds add the 5’ phosphate of a free nucleotide to the 3’ carbon of the sugar in the last nucleotide. Therefore, the new strands are synthesized by it as it links free nucleotides that have bases complimentary to the template strand

Question 3

RNA Primase

Answer 3

Synthesizes primers that act as a starting point for replication

Question 4

DNA Polymerase I

Answer 4

Cuts out the RNA primers and replaces them with DNA nucleotides (this process is especially important for the lagging strand as its replication is discontinuous)

Question 5

DNA Ligase

Answer 5

Joins the fragments together by linking their sugar-phosphate backbone

Question 6

What enzymes are involved in the proofreading the replicated DNA?

Answer 6

DNA polymerase III and DNA polymerase I