What type of biological molecule is dna helicase?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: DNA helicase is an enzyme, which is a type of protein.
Explanation
DNA helicase is a biological enzyme, which means it is a protein that speeds up (catalyzes) chemical reactions—in this case, the unwinding of DNA strands. Enzymes like DNA helicase are crucial for life because they allow important biological processes to occur quickly and efficiently.
DNA helicase specifically plays a vital role in DNA replication, the process by which a cell copies its DNA before division. DNA is made of two strands twisted into a double helix. Before replication can begin, these two strands must be separated so that each can serve as a template for a new strand. This is where DNA helicase comes in. It binds to the DNA at the origin of replication and moves along the strand, breaking the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs (adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine). This unwinding creates two single-stranded templates needed for the replication process.
Structurally, helicases are composed of amino acids, like all proteins, and have specific regions (called domains) responsible for binding DNA and using energy to move along it. They use energy derived from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to carry out their function, converting chemical energy into mechanical work to “unzip” the DNA strands.
There are different types of helicases in cells, each specialized for various functions such as replication, repair, recombination, or transcription. Mutations in helicase genes can lead to serious genetic disorders, such as Werner syndrome or Bloom syndrome, which are linked to problems with DNA repair.
In summary, DNA helicase is an enzyme, and therefore a protein, that is essential for DNA replication. Its role in unwinding DNA strands makes it a critical part of the cell’s machinery for copying genetic information accurately and efficiently.
