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What are the three enzymes that play a major role in DNA replication? What do they do?

User Jeff Trull
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Final answer:

DNA polymerase alpha, DNA polymerase delta, and DNA polymerase epsilon are essential enzymes in DNA replication, each playing a specific role in the initiation, elongation, and leading-strand synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three enzymes that play a major role in DNA replication are DNA polymerase alpha, DNA polymerase delta, and DNA polymerase epsilon. DNA polymerase alpha initiates the synthesis of a DNA strand with a short RNA primer. DNA polymerase delta functions in the elongation phase of DNA replication, working in association with the protein PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Lastly, DNA polymerase epsilon is involved in the leading-strand synthesis. These polymerases are crucial for accurately duplicating the genome before a cell divided.

User Clemsang
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DNA helicase uncoils the DNA strand and prepares it for replication.

DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA and helps build more strands.

DNA ligase connects two strands of DNA together.

User Scnerd
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