What are the two activities of DNA Polymerase I?

To identify the correct activities of DNA Polymerase I, it is essential to understand the functions it performs during DNA replication and repair. DNA Polymerase I is primarily known for its ability to synthesize new DNA strands in the 5' to 3' direction, which is a fundamental aspect of DNA replication. This polymerization activity allows the enzyme to add nucleotides sequentially to the growing DNA strand, effectively building up the new DNA molecule.

In addition to polymerization, DNA Polymerase I also possesses a 5' to 3' exonuclease activity. This allows the enzyme to remove RNA primers during the process of DNA replication. As DNA is synthesized, RNA primers laid down by Primase must be removed to create a continuous DNA strand, and DNA Polymerase I performs this function by degrading the RNA nucleotides from the 5' end toward the 3' end.

Therefore, the two main activities of DNA Polymerase I are 5' to 3' polymerization and 5' to 3' exonuclease. This combination of activities enables the enzyme to both synthesize new DNA and ensure that any errors or mistakes that occurred during the initial RNA primer stage are addressed, promoting the fidelity and functionality of