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What is the role of DNA helicase during DNA replication?

to unwind the duplex DNA

to attach primers to the replicating strands

to add bases in the sugar-phosphate backbone

User Tom Hundt
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To unwind the duplex DNA
User Patrick Bell
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Answer:

to unwind the duplex DNA

Step-by-step explanation:

DNA replication is an important phenomenon that must be undergone by every cell prior to division. It is the process of doubling their DNA content so as to equally share it among arising daughter cells. During DNA replication, which has been established to follow the semiconservative model, the double-stranded DNA molecule is initially unwound to form a replication fork comprising of two single strands.

This function of unwinding or separating the double-strands into two single strands is carried out by DNA HELICASE enzyme. It does this by breaking the hydrogen bonds holding each nucleotide base responsible for the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule. The single strand further serves as a template for synthesis of a new complementary strand of DNA by another enzyme called DNA polymerase.

User Gammelgul
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