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This enzyme is used to remove RNA primers and has 5' -> 3' polymerase activity and both 3'->5' exonuclease activity and 5'-> 3' exonuclease activity?

User Nbroeking
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Final answer:

The enzyme that removes RNA primers and has 5' -> 3' polymerase activity, as well as both 3'->5' and 5'-> 3' exonuclease activity, is DNA Polymerase I. This enzyme is crucial for DNA replication and repair as it fills in nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction and replaces RNA with DNA at the primer sites.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme in question is DNA Polymerase I, which is known for its role in removing RNA primers and replacing them with DNA nucleotides. DNA Polymerase I possesses unique functionalities: it has both 3'->5' exonuclease activity and 5'-> 3' exonuclease activity.

Additionally, it is the main enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction during DNA replication. This enzyme is not only involved in primer removal and replacement but also plays a critical role in DNA repair functions. For instance, it can open the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases, and seal the gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand to create a continuous DNA strand.

Moreover, the 5' exonuclease activity exhibited by DNA Polymerase I allows it to perform tasks not found in other DNA polymerases.

User Guzba
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