What is the function of DNA Primase in the DNA synthesis process?

The function of DNA Primase in the DNA synthesis process is to create an RNA primer. During DNA replication, DNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands, cannot initiate the synthesis on its own; it requires a short segment of nucleic acid to serve as a starting point. DNA Primase synthesizes these short RNA primers, which are complementary to the DNA template strands, enabling DNA polymerase to attach and begin new DNA strand synthesis.

Once the primer is in place, DNA polymerase can elongate the new DNA strand by adding nucleotides. This process is essential for the replication of both leading and lagging strands, ensuring that the DNA is accurately copied. The RNA primers are later removed and replaced with DNA, and the gaps are sealed by DNA ligase to create a continuous DNA strand. Thus, the creation of the RNA primer by DNA Primase is a crucial step in the overall DNA synthesis process.