MasteryExams
General Science • BiologyHard

What is the precise role of the enzyme DNA ligase during the process of DNA replication and recombinant DNA technology?

A. Unwinding the double-helical DNA strands by breaking hydrogen bonds
B. Catalyzing the synthesis of RNA primer sequences on lagging strands
C. Joining Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand by forming phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides✓ Correct Answer
D. Cleaving specific palindromic DNA sequences to generate sticky ends

💡 Solution & Explanation

DNA ligase is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the 3-prime hydroxyl end of one DNA strand and the 5-prime phosphate end of another, effectively sealing nicks and joining Okazaki fragments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication. Helicase unwinds the double helix, primase synthesizes RNA primers, and restriction endonucleases cleave DNA at specific recognition sites. Genetic engineering utilizes DNA ligase to splice foreign genes into plasmid vectors.

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