How does DNA polymerase differ from RNA polymerase in their function?

• A. DNA polymerase is involved in transcription, while RNA polymerase is involved in replication.
• B. DNA polymerase requires a primer, while RNA polymerase does not.
• C. DNA polymerase synthesizes RNA, while RNA polymerase synthesizes DNA.
• D. DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA, while RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the roles of DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase: DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes DNA molecules from deoxyribonucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. RNA polymerase, on the other hand, synthesizes RNA from ribonucleotides, the building blocks of RNA.
2. Recognize the processes each enzyme is involved in: DNA polymerase is primarily involved in DNA replication, where it helps in copying the DNA molecule to ensure that each new cell has the same genetic material. RNA polymerase is involved in transcription, where it synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.
3. Identify the requirement of a primer: DNA polymerase requires a short RNA primer to initiate the synthesis of a new DNA strand. This primer provides a starting point for DNA synthesis. RNA polymerase does not require a primer to start synthesizing RNA.
4. Clarify the synthesis direction: Both DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase synthesize nucleic acids in the 5' to 3' direction, but they differ in the type of nucleic acid they synthesize—DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA, while RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA.
5. Correct the misconceptions: The statement that DNA polymerase is involved in transcription and RNA polymerase in replication is incorrect. DNA polymerase is involved in replication, and RNA polymerase is involved in transcription. Additionally, DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA, not RNA, and RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA, not DNA.