Name the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix at replication forks.

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Multiple Choice

Name the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix at replication forks.

Explanation:
Unwinding the DNA double helix at replication forks is the job of helicase. This enzyme binds to the DNA and uses energy from ATP to break the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, separating the two strands. That separation creates the replication fork and provides single-stranded templates for copying the genome. DNA polymerase is the enzyme that builds new DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing strand, but it doesn’t unzip the DNA itself. Ligase seals gaps between fragments on the new strands after synthesis. Primase lays down an RNA primer to start the synthesis process.

Unwinding the DNA double helix at replication forks is the job of helicase. This enzyme binds to the DNA and uses energy from ATP to break the hydrogen bonds between base pairs, separating the two strands. That separation creates the replication fork and provides single-stranded templates for copying the genome.

DNA polymerase is the enzyme that builds new DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing strand, but it doesn’t unzip the DNA itself. Ligase seals gaps between fragments on the new strands after synthesis. Primase lays down an RNA primer to start the synthesis process.

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