In prokaryotic DNA replication, DNA polymerase I is characterized by which enzymatic activities?

• A. It has only $5\text{'}-3\text{'}$ polymerase activity and no exonuclease activity.
• B. It has $3\text{'}-5\text{'}$ polymerase activity, allowing synthesis in the reverse direction.
• C. It has $5\text{'}-3\text{'}$ polymerase activity plus both $3\text{'}-5\text{'}$ and $5\text{'}-3\text{'}$ exonuclease activities.
• D. It has $5\text{'}-3\text{'}$ polymerase activity and only $5\text{'}-3\text{'}$ exonuclease activity (no proofreading).

Answer: (C)