Question

Which enzyme is responsible for the unwinding of DNA during replication?

• A. DNA polymerase
• B. DNA ligase
• C. DNA helicase
• D. RNA primase

Hint:

Helicase unwinds the helix, creating templates for new DNA strands to be synthesized during replication!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To solve the problem, we need to identify the enzyme that helps unwind the DNA strands during the process of DNA replication.

1. Understanding DNA Replication:

- DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an exact copy of its DNA before cell division.
- The double-stranded DNA must be unwound so that each strand can serve as a template for the new strand.
- This unwinding requires special enzymes.

2. Role of the Enzyme:

- The enzyme responsible for unwinding or "unzipping" the double helix structure of DNA is called Helicase.
- Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two strands of DNA, separating them into single strands.
- This creates a replication fork where new DNA strands can be synthesized.

3. Other Enzymes in DNA Replication (for context):

• DNA Polymerase: Adds new nucleotides to the growing DNA strand.
• Primase: Synthesizes RNA primers needed to start replication.
• Ligase: Joins fragments of DNA together.

Final Answer:

The enzyme responsible for unwinding the DNA during replication is Helicase.