What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

DNA polymerase plays a crucial role in DNA replication as it synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain. During replication, the DNA double helix must be unwound to allow each strand to serve as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand. DNA polymerase then facilitates the addition of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA, to the exposed template strands. It does this in a specific manner by pairing adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine, ensuring that the new strands are correctly complementary to the original strands.

This process is essential for cell division, as it ensures that each new daughter cell receives an accurate copy of the genetic material. The high fidelity of DNA polymerase is critical; it possesses proofreading capabilities that help prevent errors in replication, maintaining the integrity of the genetic information being passed on.

While other enzymes are involved in DNA replication, such as helicase, which unwinds the DNA helix, and ligase, which joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, DNA polymerase is specifically responsible for the synthesis of new DNA molecules. Additionally, while DNA polymerase does have roles in DNA repair and in the removal of RNA primers during replication, its