3. DNA replication

Figure 20: Initiation of the synthesis of the new strand by primase and elongation by DNA polymerase

Figure 20: Initiation of the synthesis of the new strand by primase and elongation by DNA polymerase

3.4 The steps of replication

b. Initiation of the new strand by primase and elongation by DNA polymerase

Primase is an enzyme activated in the DNA replication process. The term primase comes from the English word, primer.

DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of the new DNA strand.

DNA polymerase can add a new nucleotide only into a strand that has already been initiated (it cannot add the 1st nucleotide). A primer is needed.