Question

During Replication, the primary function of the "sliding ring" protein is to?

1) open up the double helix
2) stabilize single stranded DNA
3) seal "Okazaki" fragments together
4) synthesize short RNA primer strand
5) Keep DNA polymerase associated with the DNA

Answer 1

The sliding clamp, also known as the sliding ring protein, is essential during DNA replication to maintain the association between DNA polymerase and the DNA strand, ensuring the efficient and continuous synthesis of new DNA strands.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary function of the "sliding ring" protein, known as the sliding clamp, during DNA replication is to keep DNA polymerase associated with the DNA as it synthesizes new strands. The sliding clamp is essential because it maintains the necessary association between DNA polymerase and the template strand, preventing the polymerase from slipping off and ensuring high processivity during DNA synthesis.

DNA polymerase, which is held by the sliding clamp, adds nucleotides to the new DNA strand in the 5'-3' direction. This process occurs both continuously on the leading strand and discontinuously on the lagging strand, where the DNA polymerase synthesizes short stretches known as Okazaki fragments. After the RNA primer is replaced with DNA, DNA ligase seals the strands, forming a continuous double-stranded DNA molecule.