Homework Soursebrief explanation of the enzymes involved in each step of DN
brief explanation of the enzymes involved in each step of DNA replication and their job
Solution
DNA replication is carried out by a series of enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for unzipping a molecule of DNA. They are also responsible for joining individual nucleotides together to produce new strand of DNA.
| Enzyme | function |
| Helicase | unwinds the DNA helix at the replication fork to allow the resulting single strands to be copied. |
| Primase | It synthesises RNA primers to act as template for future okazaki fragments to build onto. |
| DNA polymerase iii | It helps in synthesis of nucleotides on to the leading end in 5\' to 3\' direction. |
| DNA polymerasei | It helps in the synthesis of nucleotides on to the lagging strand, forming okazaki fragments. |
| Ligase | Helps in joining together okazaki fragments. |
| Telomerase | Catalyses the lengthening of telomers. |
| Nuclease | It\'s function is to cut out defective segments of nucleotides in a DNA sequence. |
| Topoisomerase | It introduces single strand nick in DNA, enabling it to swivel and relieve winding strain generated during unwinding of double helix. |
| Single strand binding proteins | It keeps replication fork of DNA open while polymerases read the templates and prepare for synthesis. |
