DNA polymerase

Definition

DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing a new strand of DNA during DNA replication. It adds nucleotides to the growing DNA chain using the existing strand as a template.

Related terms

Primer: A short segment of RNA that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis by providing a free 3' end.

Replication fork: The Y-shaped region where parental strands of DNA are unwound and new strands are synthesized during replication.

Leading strand: The newly synthesized DNA strand that is continuously built in the 5' to 3' direction.