During DNA replication, what do the enzymes do to the DNA molecule?

During DNA replication, what do the enzymes do to the DNA molecule?

• A. Unzip the DNA
• B. Fold the DNA
• C. Methylate the DNA
• D. Translate the DNA

Answer: (A)

The primary action of the enzymes during DNA replication is to separate the two strands of the DNA double helix so each strand can serve as a template for copying. Helicase unwinds and unzips the molecule by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, creating a replication fork. This opening is what lets DNA polymerases read the parental strands and synthesize new complementary strands in the 5′ to 3′ direction. The process is assisted by other enzymes as well: topoisomerase relieves the twisting stress from unwinding, primase lays down RNA primers to start synthesis, and ligase seals the gaps between fragments on the lagging strand. The result is semi-conservative replication, producing two DNA molecules each with one old and one new strand.

The primary action of the enzymes during DNA replication is to separate the two strands of the DNA double helix so each strand can serve as a template for copying. Helicase unwinds and unzips the molecule by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, creating a replication fork. This opening is what lets DNA polymerases read the parental strands and synthesize new complementary strands in the 5′ to 3′ direction. The process is assisted by other enzymes as well: topoisomerase relieves the twisting stress from unwinding, primase lays down RNA primers to start synthesis, and ligase seals the gaps between fragments on the lagging strand. The result is semi-conservative replication, producing two DNA molecules each with one old and one new strand.