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What is the function of helicase?

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Anonymous

9y ago
Updated: 3/31/2022

DNA helicase "unzip," or separate, a strand of DNA at positions called origins. This means that the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs are removed (DNA is double stranded!). When they separate double-stranded DNA into single strands, it allows each strand to be copied (replication).

DNA helicases use the energy stored in a molecule called ATP to break the bonds, which serves as the energy currency of cells.

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Pearline Blick

Lvl 13
3y ago

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Related Questions

Does RNA polymerase require helicase for its function?

No, RNA polymerase does not require helicase for its function. RNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, while helicase is an enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during processes like DNA replication and transcription.


Who discovered helicase and what year?

Helicase was discovered by James M. Berger and Stephen J. Kowalczykowski in 1995. They identified the role of helicase in DNA replication by studying its function in unwinding the double helix structure of DNA.


Is DNA helicase an enzyme?

Yes, DNA helicase is an enzyme.


What enzyme unravels the DNA helix?

DNA Helicase. - an enzyme, is responsible for unwinding and unzipping the double helix.


What enhances separation of DNA strands during replication?

Helicase enzymes are responsible for unwinding and separating the DNA strands during replication by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the bases. This creates the replication fork where new nucleotides can be added by DNA polymerase enzymes. ATP provides the energy needed for helicase to perform its unwinding function.


What is the function of a DNA helicase in the process of DNA replication?

A DNA helicase is an enzyme that unwinds the double-stranded DNA molecule during DNA replication. It separates the two strands of DNA, allowing other enzymes to access and copy the genetic information.


What enzyme unzips DNA and RNA?

the one that breaks it is called Helicase and the one that adds it is called Polymerase.


What job do the enzymes helicase play?

Helicase unwinds the DNA during replication.


What is the function of DNA helicare in DNA replication?

DNA Helicase unwinds and unzips the DNA. It separates the two strands of DNA so DNA replication can occur.


What enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA molecule for replication?

The enzyme responsible for unwinding the DNA molecule for replication is called helicase. Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the DNA base pairs, allowing the two strands to separate and expose the nucleotide bases for replication.


What is helicase enzyme and why is important to cells?

Helicase is an enzyme that unwinds and separates the double-stranded DNA or RNA during processes such as replication and transcription. This unwinding is crucial because it allows other enzymes, like DNA polymerase or RNA polymerase, to access the single strands and synthesize new nucleic acid strands. Without helicase, the genetic information stored in DNA could not be effectively copied or expressed, which is vital for cell division, growth, and function. Thus, helicase plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and continuity of genetic material in cells.


What enzyme unwinds or unzips the parent strand?

DNA helicase unwinds the DNA strands in transcription; helicases also serve many other functions when the separation of two nucleic acid strands are required.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_helicase