[Campbell Biology P.372] During DNA replication, what are the primary functions of Helicase ... | Practice Question

During DNA replication, what are the primary functions of Helicase and single-strand binding proteins, respectively?

  • A: Helicase synthesizes RNA primers; single-strand binding proteins relieve DNA supercoiling.
  • B: Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix; single-strand binding proteins stabilize the unwound parental strands.
  • C: Helicase breaks phosphodiester bonds; single-strand binding proteins proofread new DNA.
  • D: Helicase adds nucleotides to the new strand; single-strand binding proteins initiate DNA synthesis.

Explanation

According to the text and Figure 16.14, Helicases are enzymes that untwist the double helix at the replication forks, separating the two parental strands. Single-strand binding proteins then bind to these unpaired DNA strands, keeping them from re-pairing and stabilizing them.