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Helicase activity: How fast does the TraY/I complex unwind DNA starting at oriT? -500 base pairs per second -1,200 bp per minute -1,200 bp per second -500 base pairs (bp) per min

User Jeff Li
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Final answer:

The materials do not specify the rate at which the TraY/I complex unwinds DNA at the oriT, a step required for DNA replication. Helicase enzymes unwind DNA using ATP; replication fork reference rates are 1000 nucleotides per second, yet the TraY/I complex may not be directly affected by this.

Step-by-step explanation:

A critical stage in the replication of DNA is the activity of helicase enzymes, such as the TraY/I complex, which unwinds DNA at the oriT (origin of transfer). The helicase enzyme uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to unwind the DNA double helix once it binds at the replication fork.

Although the cited source does not explicitly mention the TraY/I complex's unwinding speed, it does mention that a typical replication fork proceeds at a speed of 1000 nucleotides per second. Additional comparative data stated that in some prokaryotes, nucleotides might replicate at a rate of 900 per second, resulting in distinct genome replication times.

As a result, academic research can be used to determine the rate at which the TraY/I complex unwinds DNA at the oriT.

User Rakesh L
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