Question

Which of the following does the enzyme primase synthesize?

a. DNA primer

b. RNA primer

c. Okazaki fragments

d. phosphodiester linkage

Short answer

Option b is the correct answer.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Primase is an enzyme that initiates the synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Primase produces short RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequences that are complementary to the template DNA strand. Only the existing strand can receive additional DNA nucleotides from the DNA polymerase. Primase aids in producing the DNA nucleotides for that new strand.

The explanation for the correct answer.

Only nucleotides can be added to the 3′ OH group of the final nucleotide by DNA polymerase as it cannot start replication. To start the replication, a primer is needed. The creation of a short RNA primer needed to start DNA replication is catalysed by the enzyme primase. The single strand of DNA's complementary primer is created.

The explanation for the incorrect options.

• RNA primers, not DNA primers, are produced by the primase enzyme.
• Okazaki fragments are brief DNA strands that are newly generated on the DNA strand that is trailing after replication forks.
• Between the 3'-OH end of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate end of the other fragment, phosphodiester linkage bonds are created.