What is the role of primase during DNA replication?

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Multiple Choice

What is the role of primase during DNA replication?

Explanation:
Primase provides the starting point for DNA synthesis by laying down a short RNA primer. DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides onto an existing strand that has a 3' end, so primase synthesizes a primer de novo to supply that starting point. On the leading strand, one primer allows continuous synthesis; on the lagging strand, primers are laid down for each Okazaki fragment, enabling synthesis in short stretches that are later joined. The primer is eventually removed and replaced with DNA, and the fragments are connected by ligase. Primase itself doesn’t unwind the helix, join fragments, or proofread nucleotides.

Primase provides the starting point for DNA synthesis by laying down a short RNA primer. DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides onto an existing strand that has a 3' end, so primase synthesizes a primer de novo to supply that starting point. On the leading strand, one primer allows continuous synthesis; on the lagging strand, primers are laid down for each Okazaki fragment, enabling synthesis in short stretches that are later joined. The primer is eventually removed and replaced with DNA, and the fragments are connected by ligase. Primase itself doesn’t unwind the helix, join fragments, or proofread nucleotides.

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