Researchers found E. coli that had mutation rates 100 times higher than normal. What is a possible explanation for this?
a. |
The DNA polymerase was unable to add bases to the 3' end of the growing molecule. |
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b. |
The 5'-3' exonuclease was not working properly. |
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c. |
Primers were not removed by DNA pol I. |
|
d. |
The 3' -5' exonuclease activity was not working properly. |
DNA replication is the process by which a DNA molecule is copied into another daughter DNA molecule. During the process of making a new strand from the parental one, DNA polymerase moves in the direction 5' to 3'. When accidentally an incorrect base is incorporated, then 3' to 5' exonuclease activity corrects it.
The 5' to 3' exonuclease activity basically removed the primers at 5' end.
Thus, a higher mutation rate would possibly arise because:
(D) The 3' - 5' exonuclease activity was not working properly.
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