Final answer:
DNA polymerases show an impressive ability to distinguish between ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs and dNTPs) The statement is false. (Option 2)
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA polymerases generally do not possess a perfect ability to distinguish between ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). While DNA polymerases have a high fidelity in incorporating complementary dNTPs during DNA synthesis, they can occasionally incorporate rNTPs, leading to the formation of RNA-DNA hybrid sequences. This phenomenon is known as ribonucleotide incorporation or ribonucleotide excision repair.
During DNA replication, enzymes like DNA polymerase can mistakenly incorporate ribonucleotides instead of deoxyribonucleotides, introducing RNA fragments into the DNA strand. Cells have evolved mechanisms, such as ribonucleotide excision repair enzymes, to recognize and remove these misincorporated ribonucleotides.
The statement is false, as DNA polymerases may incorporate ribonucleotides, showcasing the need for additional cellular mechanisms to rectify such errors. Understanding these nuances is crucial in comprehending DNA replication fidelity and the maintenance of genomic integrity.