The Replication of DNA Is Quite Complicated and Requires the Participation

Essay

The replication of DNA is quite complicated and requires the participation of many different enzymatic activities.These include an RNA polymerase (DNA primase)that synthesizes short segments of RNA,called primers,which are base paired to the DNA template.The 3´-OH ends of these RNA primers serve as initiation sites for the actual DNA polymerase activity.Obviously,DNA primase can synthesize polynucleotides without the benefit of a 3´-OH primer;indeed,it can catalyze the hydrolysis and subsequent linkage of two nucleoside triphosphates without the need for a complementary strand whatsoever.The short segments of RNA must be eliminated and replaced with DNA before replication can be completed.Why do you think that RNA,rather than DNA,primers are employed in the DNA replication process?