Which enzyme is primarily responsible for attaching nucleotides to form a complementary strand of DNA during replication?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of DNA replication: DNA replication is the process by which a DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules. This involves several enzymes, each with a specific role.
2. Identify the role of DNA polymerase: DNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for adding nucleotides to the growing DNA strand. It reads the template strand and attaches complementary nucleotides (A pairs with T, and G pairs with C).
3. Differentiate the roles of other enzymes: Primase synthesizes a short RNA primer to provide a starting point for DNA polymerase. Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, and ligase seals gaps between DNA fragments on the lagging strand.
4. Focus on the complementary strand formation: DNA polymerase extends the new strand by adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction, using the template strand as a guide.
5. Conclude that DNA polymerase is the enzyme primarily responsible for attaching nucleotides to form a complementary strand of DNA during replication.