What role do enzymes called helicases play in DNA replication?

• A. They synthesize new DNA strands.
• B. They unwind the DNA double helix.
• C. They add RNA primers to the DNA template.
• D. They join Okazaki fragments together.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of DNA replication: DNA replication is the process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic instructions.
2. Identify the role of helicases: Helicases are enzymes that play a crucial role in DNA replication by unwinding the DNA double helix, allowing the replication machinery access to the single strands of DNA.
3. Explore the unwinding mechanism: Helicases break the hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases of the DNA strands, effectively separating the two strands and creating a replication fork.
4. Differentiate helicases from other enzymes: While helicases unwind the DNA, other enzymes like DNA polymerase synthesize new DNA strands, primase adds RNA primers, and ligase joins Okazaki fragments.
5. Recognize the importance of helicases: Without helicases, the DNA strands would remain tightly coiled, preventing the replication process from proceeding efficiently.