select the correct answer.\n\nan enzyme in a cell became dysfunctional because of an alteration. as a…

select the correct answer.\n\nan enzyme in a cell became dysfunctional because of an alteration. as a result, the dna strands would not separate to begin the replication process. which enzyme has been affected?\n\na. dna ligase\n\nb. dna polymerase\n\nc. helicase\n\nd. rna primase\n\ne. topoisomerase

select the correct answer.\n\nan enzyme in a cell became dysfunctional because of an alteration. as a result, the dna strands would not separate to begin the replication process. which enzyme has been affected?\n\na. dna ligase\n\nb. dna polymerase\n\nc. helicase\n\nd. rna primase\n\ne. topoisomerase

Answer

Brief Explanations:

To solve this, we analyze each enzyme's role in DNA replication:

  • Option A (DNA ligase): Joins Okazaki fragments, not involved in strand separation.
  • Option B (DNA polymerase): Synthesizes new DNA strands, not for separation.
  • Option C (helicase): Unwinds/separates DNA double helix at the replication fork, so a dysfunctional helicase would prevent strand separation.
  • Option D (RNA primase): Synthesizes RNA primers, not for strand separation.
  • Option E (topoisomerase): Relieves supercoiling, not direct strand separation.

Answer:

C. helicase