Question

How does primase, an RNA polymerase, contribute to DNA replication by synthesizing short RNA molecules, or primers, that provide a 3′-OH for the attachment of deoxyribonucleotides by DNA polymerase?

Answer 1

Primase, an RNA polymerase, contributes to DNA replication by synthesizing short RNA molecules, or primers, that provide a 3′-OH for the attachment of deoxyribonucleotides by DNA polymerase.

Step-by-step explanation:

Primase is an enzyme that synthesizes short RNA molecules, known as primers, during DNA replication. These primers are about five to ten nucleotides long and are complementary to the template DNA strand. The purpose of the primer is to provide a 3′-OH group to which DNA polymerase can attach and add deoxyribonucleotides to extend the DNA strand.