Which enzyme unzips DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds to separate the complementary bases during replication?

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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme unzips DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds to separate the complementary bases during replication?

Explanation:
Helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, separating the two strands to create a replication fork. This energy-driven opening exposes each template strand so DNA polymerases can copy them. Without this unwinding step, synthesis cannot begin because polymerases need a single-stranded template. Other enzymes have different tasks: topoisomerase relieves the twisting that occurs when the helix is opened, ligase seals nicks in the sugar-phosphate backbone after fragments are synthesized, and primase lays down RNA primers so DNA polymerase has a starting point for synthesis.

Helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, separating the two strands to create a replication fork. This energy-driven opening exposes each template strand so DNA polymerases can copy them. Without this unwinding step, synthesis cannot begin because polymerases need a single-stranded template. Other enzymes have different tasks: topoisomerase relieves the twisting that occurs when the helix is opened, ligase seals nicks in the sugar-phosphate backbone after fragments are synthesized, and primase lays down RNA primers so DNA polymerase has a starting point for synthesis.

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