Final answer:
DNA is synthesized by DNA polymerase using triphosphate nucleotides that form phosphodiester bonds. Energy for the reaction is released through the breakdown of pyrophosphate into two inorganic phosphates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule being synthesized is DNA, which is constructed using triphosphate nucleotides as substrates. DNA polymerase is the enzyme that plays a crucial role in this process. It catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides, forming the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA molecule.
This polymerization process involves releasing two phosphate groups as pyrophosphate, which is further broken down into two inorganic phosphates, releasing energy that drives the reaction forward. For DNA synthesis to begin, a primer is needed to provide the 3' OH group required by the polymerase. The polymerase moves along the template strand of DNA in the 3' to 5' direction, adding nucleotides that complement the template in the 5' to 3' direction of the growing strand.