TEAS Practice Test Science Related

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Which of the following enzymes unwinds the double-stranded DNA during replication?

  • A. Helicase
  • B. Ligase
  • C. Nuclease
  • D. Polymerase
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Helicase is the enzyme responsible for unwinding the double-stranded DNA during replication by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. This process creates the replication fork where DNA polymerase can then synthesize new DNA strands. Ligase functions to join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, not unwind DNA. Nuclease is involved in DNA repair by removing damaged DNA segments. Polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands based on the existing template strands, not for unwinding the DNA.