Which term describes proteins that stabilize the unwound single strands during replication?

Which term describes proteins that stabilize the unwound single strands during replication?

• A. DNA polymerase
• B. Helicase
• C. Replisome
• D. Single-strand binding proteins

Answer: (D)

Single-strand binding proteins stabilize the unwound DNA strands after the double helix is opened. When helicase separates the two templates, the exposed single strands tend to re-anneal or form secondary structures and can be damaged. SSBs quickly bind to these single strands, keeping them extended and protected so DNA polymerase can efficiently copy the template. They also help maintain the correct orientation of the template for replication. DNA polymerase is the enzyme that actually synthesizes new DNA using the template. Helicase is the motor that unwinds the DNA helix. The replisome is the overall replication machinery at the fork, a larger complex that includes helicase, polymerases, and SSBs, but the term described by stabilizing the unwound strands refers specifically to the single-strand binding proteins.

Single-strand binding proteins stabilize the unwound DNA strands after the double helix is opened. When helicase separates the two templates, the exposed single strands tend to re-anneal or form secondary structures and can be damaged. SSBs quickly bind to these single strands, keeping them extended and protected so DNA polymerase can efficiently copy the template. They also help maintain the correct orientation of the template for replication.

DNA polymerase is the enzyme that actually synthesizes new DNA using the template. Helicase is the motor that unwinds the DNA helix. The replisome is the overall replication machinery at the fork, a larger complex that includes helicase, polymerases, and SSBs, but the term described by stabilizing the unwound strands refers specifically to the single-strand binding proteins.