What is the function of the enzyme topoisomerase in DNA replication?A) relieving strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork caused by the untwisting of the double helix B) elongating new DNA at a replication fork by adding nucleotides to the existing chainC) reattaching the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs in the double helixD) building RNA primers using the parental DNA strand as a template
The correct answer is A) relieving strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork caused by the untwisting of the double helix
The correct answer is A) relieving strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork caused by the untwisting of the double helix.
During DNA replication, the two strands of the double helix are separated to serve as templates for the synthesis of new complementary strands. However, as the DNA strands unwind, tension and strain can build up ahead of the replication fork. This strain is caused by the twisting of the double helix.
To prevent this strain from impeding the DNA replication process, the enzyme topoisomerase is responsible for relieving the tension. Topoisomerase achieves this by temporarily cutting the DNA strands, allowing them to rotate, and then resealing the strands. By doing so, it relaxes the supercoiling and reduces the strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork.
In summary, the function of topoisomerase in DNA replication is to relieve the strain in the DNA ahead of the replication fork caused by the untwisting of the double helix.
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