What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

DNA polymerase plays a crucial role in the process of DNA replication. Here’s a concise explanation of its function:

1. Synthesis of New DNA Strands: DNA polymerase is responsible for adding nucleotides to the growing DNA strand during replication. It reads the existing template strand and adds complementary nucleotides to form a new strand.

2. Proofreading and Error Correction: DNA polymerase has a proofreading ability. It checks each nucleotide against the template strand as it adds them. If an incorrect nucleotide is incorporated, the enzyme can remove and replace it with the correct one, ensuring high fidelity in DNA replication.

3. Initiation Requirement: DNA polymerase requires a primer to initiate synthesis. It cannot start the synthesis of a new DNA strand on its own; it needs a short RNA primer synthesized by primase to begin adding DNA nucleotides.

In summary, DNA polymerase is essential for accurately copying the genetic material, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the DNA.