DNA polymerase requires a primer and cannot initiate synthesis de novo. What serves as a primer for DNA replication?
A) Short fragments of DNA complementary to the template strand
B) A protein with a free OH group
C) Short fragments of RNA complementary to the template strand
D) Double-stranded hairpins at the end of the DNA molecule that are formed by a looping of the DNA

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase requires a primer to initiate synthesis, and in DNA replication, short fragments of RNA complementary to the template strand serve as primers. These RNA primers are eventually removed and replaced with DNA nucleotides by DNA polymerase.

DNA Polymerase Requires a Primer and Cannot Initiate Synthesis De