Final answer:
The proteins that stabilize the two single strands of DNA when the double helix is unwound are called single-strand binding proteins. These prevent the strands from prematurely reannealing, facilitating the DNA replication process alongside other enzymes such as helicase and topoisomerase.
Step-by-step explanation:
When double-stranded DNA is unwound during the replication process, the individual strands are stabilized by single-strand binding proteins (SSBPs). These proteins bind to the separated strands of DNA, thereby preventing them from pairing back together, which would hamper the replication process. During this process, other enzymes play key roles; for example, helicase separates the DNA strands at the origin of replication, and topoisomerase relieves topological stress in the DNA molecule that is ahead of the replication fork.
The stabilization of the single strands of DNA by single-strand binding proteins ensures that the replication machinery, including enzymes such as DNA polymerase and primase, can access and accurately copy the genetic information.