Final answer:
DNA polymerase, option 1, is the enzyme that links DNA bases together during DNA replication, which precedes cell division in mitosis and meiosis. It adds nucleotides to form a complementary strand and works in conjunction with other enzymes such as helicase, primase, and DNA ligase.
Step-by-step explanation:
During DNA replication, which occurs before mitosis and meiosis, the enzyme that links DNA bases together to form a new strand of DNA is DNA polymerase. This enzyme adds nucleotides to the 3'-OH end of a primer.
The replication process begins with the unwinding of the double helix by DNA helicase, which forms replication forks. Then, single-strand binding proteins stabilize the unwound DNA.
Topoisomerase prevents supercoiling ahead of the replication fork by making temporary cuts in the DNA backbone. Primase synthesizes an RNA primer on which DNA polymerase can begin synthesis of the new strand.
On the leading strand, DNA polymerase works continuously, whereas, on the lagging strand, it synthesizes short fragments known as Okazaki fragments. Once the RNA primers are removed, DNA ligase seals the nicks between the deoxyribonucleotides, completing the synthesis of the DNA molecule.