Question

Which of the following is not a property of DNA polymerase?

a) Proofreading activity
b) Synthesizes RNA during transcription
c) Requires a primer to initiate synthesis
d) Adds nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction

Answer 1

DNA polymerase does not synthesize RNA during transcription; this is the function of RNA polymerase. DNA polymerase requires a primer, has proofreading activity, and adds nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The property that is not a characteristic of DNA polymerase is b) Synthesizes RNA during transcription. DNA polymerase has several key properties:

• Proofreading activity: It is able to correct mistakes made during DNA replication via its 3' exonuclease function.
• Primer requirement: DNA polymerase requires a primer with a free 3'-OH group to begin synthesis.
• 5' to 3' directionality: This enzyme can only add nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction during DNA replication.

However, it is the RNA polymerase, not DNA polymerase, that synthesizes RNA during transcription. RNA polymerase is capable of initiating RNA synthesis from scratch and does not need a primer, making it distinct from DNA polymerase.