Question

What is the role of the metal ions in the polymerase active site?

Short answer

Polymerases are responsible for the polymerization of nucleic acids.

Step-by-step solution

Different active sites of polymerases

It has different active sites for metal ions. Active sites that are structurally superimposable and highly conserved in sequencecontained by DNA polymerases.

Role of metal ions in polymerase active site

Metals ions arerequired for the enzymic action of polymerases.

Metal ions contribute to the catalytic process through their ability to draw in or donate electrons.

Thus, metal ions play an important role in the action of polymerases.