Impact of Absence of Primer on DNA Replication

Hard Biochemistry Nucleic Acids And Dna Replication

During DNA replication, the enzyme DNA polymerase plays a crucial role in synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain. It is known to require a primer to initiate this process. If a scientist attempts to replicate a segment of DNA without providing a primer, which statement best describes the expected outcome of this experiment?

DNA synthesis will proceed indefinitely since DNA polymerase can initiate replication without a primer.

DNA polymerase will not be able to initiate synthesis, thus preventing replication of the segment.

Replication will occur but will be error-prone due to lack of a stabilizing primer.

The outcome will depend on the presence of helicase in the experiment.

Hint

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