In nucleic acid synthesis, which enzyme catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds that covalently link nucleotides together in a growing DNA strand?

• A. Helicase
• B. DNA ligase
• C. DNA polymerase
• D. Primase

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of each enzyme listed in the context of nucleic acid synthesis:
2. Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between base pairs, preparing the strands for replication.
3. Primase synthesizes a short RNA primer that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis.
4. DNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds, which covalently link nucleotides together to form the growing DNA strand.
5. DNA ligase seals nicks in the DNA backbone by forming phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides, but it acts after DNA synthesis to join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.