Primase uses what as its template during primer synthesis?

Primase uses what as its template during primer synthesis?

• A. RNA as template
• B. Parental DNA as template
• C. Protein as template
• D. No template

Answer: (B)

Primase operates in DNA replication by copying a DNA template to lay down an RNA primer. The template is the parental DNA strand, so the primer is complementary to that strand and provides a 3' hydroxyl end for DNA polymerase to start extending. After synthesis, this RNA primer is removed and replaced with DNA. The other options don’t fit because primase does not use RNA or protein as a template, and there is indeed a template to guide the synthesis.

Primase operates in DNA replication by copying a DNA template to lay down an RNA primer. The template is the parental DNA strand, so the primer is complementary to that strand and provides a 3' hydroxyl end for DNA polymerase to start extending. After synthesis, this RNA primer is removed and replaced with DNA. The other options don’t fit because primase does not use RNA or protein as a template, and there is indeed a template to guide the synthesis.