Final answer:
Major differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA polymerases include proofreading abilities, number and types of polymerases, and replication processes. Eukaryotic cells use multiple polymerases with some like pol δ and pol ε dedicated to strand elongation, while prokaryotes utilize a fewer number, typically five. Both initiate replication at the 3' end of the primer. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
In comparing and contrasting major eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA polymerases, it is essential to understand that there are fundamental differences in their structures, functions, and the replication processes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Statement A is incorrect as some prokaryotic DNA polymerases, like DNA Pol I, do have proofreading capabilities due to the 3' to 5' exonuclease activity. B is also incorrect since the size can vary and is not a distinguishing characteristic between the two types.
Statement C is correct as both types of DNA polymerases add nucleotides to the 3' end of the primer. Statement D is incorrect because both eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA polymerases are solely involved in DNA replication, not transcription.
Eukaryotic cells typically use multiple DNA polymerases, such as pol α (alpha), pol β (beta), pol γ (gamma), pol δ (delta), and pol ε (epsilon) for replication. Specifically, in eukaryotes, pol δ and pol ε are crucial for strand elongation during replication.
In contrast, prokaryotic cells have a single origin of replication and utilize fewer types of polymerases, typically five (such as DNA Pol III for strand elongation), and do not contain telomerase, which is present in eukaryotes and involved in replicating chromosome ends.