Question

Telomerase: Which of the following statements is FALSE?

-has its own primer molecule attached.
- is a reverse transcriptase.
-has its own template molecule attached.
-extends the G-T strand.
-reads RNA to synthesize DNA.

Answer 1

The FALSE statement about telomerase is that it has its own primer molecule attached. Telomerase uses an RNA template to extend telomeres, serving as a reverse transcriptase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is FALSE about telomerase is that it "has its own primer molecule attached". Telomerase is indeed a reverse transcriptase that extends the G-T strand specifically, also known as the telomere 3' overhang, by reading its RNA component to synthesize DNA, hence utilizing the RNA as a template to elongate telomeres. However, unlike regular DNA replication that requires an RNA primer made by primase, telomerase carries its own RNA template which it uses to add complementary DNA nucleotides to the 3' end of the telomere, not a primer.