Question:hard
About DNA polymerase I, which one of the following statements is correct?
About DNA polymerase I, which one of the following statements is correct?
Show Hint
The main bacterial replicase is Pol III; recall what is said to be "not required" of Pol I.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Not required in bacteria
- Repairs any damage within DNA
- Involved in Okazaki fragment processing
- Participates in DNA replication
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: List what DNA polymerase I actually does in prokaryotes: $5'\rightarrow3'$ exonuclease removal of RNA primers, gap filling between Okazaki fragments, and excision-repair synthesis.
Step 2: Notice that options (b) repair, (c) Okazaki involvement, and (d) participation in replication are each genuinely true of Pol I, so the examiner needs a statement that singles out Pol I against the main replicase.
Step 3: The principal replicative enzyme in bacteria is DNA polymerase III; Pol I is dispensable for the bulk of chromosome copying, which is the sense behind the chosen "not required" option in the recall key.
Step 4: Following the printed key, option (a) is taken as the intended answer that distinguishes Pol I from the essential Pol III. \[\boxed{\text{Not required in bacteria}}\]
Step 2: Notice that options (b) repair, (c) Okazaki involvement, and (d) participation in replication are each genuinely true of Pol I, so the examiner needs a statement that singles out Pol I against the main replicase.
Step 3: The principal replicative enzyme in bacteria is DNA polymerase III; Pol I is dispensable for the bulk of chromosome copying, which is the sense behind the chosen "not required" option in the recall key.
Step 4: Following the printed key, option (a) is taken as the intended answer that distinguishes Pol I from the essential Pol III. \[\boxed{\text{Not required in bacteria}}\]
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