Primase
Primase
Primase (pronounced: pri-mase) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in DNA replication.
Etymology
The term "Primase" is derived from the word "primer", which refers to a short nucleic acid sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis, and the suffix "-ase", which is used in biochemistry to form names of enzymes.
Function
Primase is responsible for synthesizing a short RNA segment called a primer, which serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis. This process is essential during DNA replication because the enzymes that replicate DNA, known as DNA polymerases, can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA.
Related Terms
- DNA replication: The process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.
- Enzyme: A protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction.
- DNA polymerases: A group of enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of DNA molecules from nucleoside triphosphates.
- Nucleotides: The basic building blocks of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.
- RNA: A molecule similar to DNA that plays an important role in protein synthesis and other chemical activities of the cell.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Primase
- Wikipedia's article - Primase
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