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🔬 Biology  ·  Molecular Basis of Inheritance  ·  NEET

Which enzyme unwinds the DNA double helix at the replication fork?

Answer: Helicase.

  • A DNA polymerase
  • B Helicase
  • C Ligase
  • D Primase

Correct answer: B. Helicase

Explanation: Helicase unwinds the parental DNA double helix at the replication fork, separating the two strands for replication.

The Replication Forkhelicase (unwinds fork)leading strand (continuous, 5'→3')lagging strand: Okazaki fragments (discontinuous)

Helicase unwinds the double helix at the replication fork; one new strand (leading) is synthesised continuously toward the fork, while the other (lagging) must be made in short, separate Okazaki fragments because DNA polymerase only adds nucleotides 5'→3'.

Concept context

DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, the genetic code, and gene regulation (lac operon). The single most important chapter for NEET molecular biology.

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