Which component must act first to enable DNA polymerase III to function?

To enable DNA polymerase III to function, primase must act first in the process of DNA replication. Primase synthesizes a short RNA primer that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis. DNA polymerase III cannot initiate DNA synthesis on its own; instead, it requires a free 3’ hydroxyl (OH) group to which it can add DNA nucleotides.

Once primase has created this RNA primer, DNA polymerase III can then bind to the primer and begin elongating the new DNA strand by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand. The action of primase is essential because it establishes the necessary foundation for DNA polymerase III to perform its role in replication.

This order of operations is crucial in the context of DNA replication. Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix ahead of the replication fork, which is essential for primase and DNA polymerase III to access the template strands. DNA ligase, on the other hand, is involved later in the process, sealing the gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand after they have been synthesized. DNA nucleases are involved in processes like fragment removal and repair but do not play a direct role at the onset of DNA replication. Thus, the role of prim