Q. 17.29 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What is the function of the enzyme helicase in DNA replication?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

DNA Helicase is the enzyme that unwinds the DNA molecule. It converts double stranded DNA into single stranded which allows the synthesis of daughter DNA molecule by DNA polymerase.

Step 1: Introduction

Nucleic acids are organic macromolecules that are present all over the cell. They were detected in the nuclei of cells for the very first time.. DNA and RNA are nucleic acids that are present throughout all known forms of life. Cells generate an identical copy of the DNA molecule by replication, which is a natural process. The strands of the parent DNA molecule separate during replication to allow complementary DNA strands to be synthesised.

Step 2: Explanation

The enzyme DNA Helicase unwinds the DNA molecule. It transforms double-stranded DNA to single-stranded DNA, allowing DNA polymerase to synthesise daughter DNA molecules.