Imagine that a cell has a genetic mutation such that the helicase enzyme is non-functional. Assuming that all of the other enzymes directly involved in DNA replication are still functional in these cells, how much of the DNA replication process would you still expect to see in these cells? Select one: a. The leading strand would be synthesized but not the lagging strand. b. Both strands would be replicated except RNA would remain in the daughter strands. c. The DNA helix would be unwound, but no new strands would be produced. d. None of it; no part of DNA replication would occur.

Imagine that a cell has a genetic mutation such that the helicase enzyme is non-functional. Assuming that all of the other enzymes directly involved in DNA replication are still functional in these cells, how much of the DNA replication process would you still expect to see in these cells?
Select one:
a. The leading strand would be synthesized but not the lagging strand.
b. Both strands would be replicated except RNA would remain in the daughter strands.
c. The DNA helix would be unwound, but no new strands would be produced.
d. None of it; no part of DNA replication would occur.

Answer

• d. None of it; no part of DNA replication would occur.
  Explanation:
  Helicase enzyme plays a major part in the replication process by unwinding the double helix. By doing so, it creates the replication fork and opens up the complimentary strands for polymerases to elongate the daughter strand. If helicase enzyme is non-functional, then the double helix remains intact and does not allow polymerase enzyme to add complimentary bases. There will be no replication at all without unwinding the double helix.