Question

How does RNA primer work?

Answer 1

RNA Primer:

1. All living things require primers, which are brief, single-stranded nucleic acids, to start the production of DNA.
2. Since DNA polymerase enzymes can only add nucleotides to an existing nucleic acid's 3' end, a primer must first be linked to the template for DNA polymerase to start creating a complementary strand.
3. RNA primers are used by living things to start the synthesis of DNA strands.
4. The primer needs to be created by primase before DNA replication can occur (type of RNA polymerase).
5. The reading template on the lagging and leading strands is supplemented by a complementary RNA primer by the primase.
6. From the primer terminus, a DNA polymerase can extend a freshly created strand.
7. The leading strand of DNA replicates as a single continuous piece that travels with the replication fork and only requires the initial synthesis of an RNA primer.
8. The Okazaki fragments, which are brief, backward pieces of DNA, are created.
9. The primase intersperses RNA primers across the DNA template, which the DNA polymerase uses to synthesize DNA in the direction of 5′ to 3′.