Final answer:
DNA polymerase is the enzyme primarily responsible for the synthesis of new DNA strands, while DNA ligase is crucial for joining Okazaki fragments. Telomerase maintains the ends of chromosomes, and dideoxynucleotides terminate DNA strand elongation in Sanger sequencing.
Therefore the correct answer is option is c) DNA polymerase
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme most directly responsible for the main process of producing a new DNA strand is c) DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase is essential in recognizing each base in a template strand and matching it to the complementary base in a free nucleotide, then catalyzing the formation of an ester bond between the nucleotide and the growing DNA chain. Hence, during DNA replication, any issues with the process of elongating a new strand, including the joining together of Okazaki fragments, typically points to a problem with DNA polymerase III or DNA ligase.
A mutation in DNA ligase affects the joining of Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand. Moreover, the ends of linear chromosomes are maintained by d) telomerase, and the development of a DNA strand in Sanger sequencing is terminated by the addition of dideoxynucleotides.