DNA Polymerase 1 vs. DNA Polymerase 3: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on October 30, 2023
DNA polymerase 1 replaces RNA primers with DNA; DNA polymerase 3 synthesizes the leading and lagging DNA strands.
Key Differences
DNA polymerase 1 is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process of DNA replication, where it is responsible for replacing RNA primers with DNA nucleotides. In contrast, DNA polymerase 3 is another enzyme that plays a different role in DNA replication, where it is responsible for synthesizing the leading and lagging DNA strands during replication.
The main function of DNA polymerase 1 is to remove the RNA primers and replace them with DNA nucleotides, ensuring that the newly synthesized DNA strand is entirely composed of DNA. On the other hand, DNA polymerase 3's primary function is to synthesize the new DNA strands by adding DNA nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during replication.
While both DNA polymerase 1 and DNA polymerase 3 are involved in the process of DNA replication, they have different functions and work at different stages of replication. DNA polymerase 1 acts later in the replication process to replace RNA primers with DNA, while DNA polymerase 3 acts earlier in the process to synthesize the new DNA strands.
In summary, DNA polymerase 1 and DNA polymerase 3 are both essential enzymes involved in the process of DNA replication, but they have distinct roles. DNA polymerase 1 is responsible for replacing RNA primers with DNA, while DNA polymerase 3 is responsible for synthesizing the leading and lagging DNA strands during replication.
Comparison Chart
Main Function
Replaces RNA primers with DNA
Synthesizes leading and lagging strands
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Role in DNA Replication
Acts later in the process
Acts earlier in the process
Type of Strands Affected
Affects newly synthesized DNA strand
Affects leading and lagging strands
Interaction with Primers
Removes RNA primers
Does not interact directly with primers
Enzyme Activity
5' to 3' polymerase and 5' to 3' exonuclease activity
5' to 3' polymerase activity
DNA Polymerase 1 and DNA Polymerase 3 Definitions
DNA Polymerase 1
DNA polymerase 1 acts later in the process of DNA replication.
After DNA polymerase 3 has synthesized the new DNA strands, DNA polymerase 1 replaces the RNA primers with DNA.
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DNA Polymerase 3
DNA polymerase 3 acts earlier in the process of DNA replication.
DNA polymerase 3 is one of the first enzymes to act during DNA replication, synthesizing the new DNA strands.
DNA Polymerase 1
DNA polymerase 1 is essential for DNA replication.
Without DNA polymerase 1, the newly synthesized DNA strand would contain RNA primers, which is not desirable.
DNA Polymerase 3
DNA polymerase 3 is essential for DNA replication.
Without DNA polymerase 3, the new DNA strands could not be synthesized, and replication would not occur.
DNA Polymerase 1
DNA polymerase 1 has 5' to 3' polymerase activity.
The 5' to 3' polymerase activity of DNA polymerase 1 adds DNA nucleotides to the growing DNA chain.
DNA Polymerase 3
DNA polymerase 3 is a highly processive enzyme.
The high processivity of DNA polymerase 3 allows it to synthesize long stretches of DNA without dissociating from the template strand.
DNA Polymerase 1
DNA polymerase 1 is an enzyme that replaces RNA primers with DNA nucleotides.
DNA polymerase 1 ensures that the newly synthesized DNA strand is entirely composed of DNA.
DNA Polymerase 3
DNA polymerase 3 has 5' to 3' polymerase activity.
The 5' to 3' polymerase activity of DNA polymerase 3 is essential for synthesizing the new DNA strands.
DNA Polymerase 1
DNA polymerase 1 has 5' to 3' exonuclease activity.
The 5' to 3' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase 1 removes the RNA primers.
DNA Polymerase 3
DNA polymerase 3 is an enzyme that synthesizes the leading and lagging strands of DNA during replication.
DNA polymerase 3 adds DNA nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during replication.
FAQs
What is DNA polymerase 3?
DNA polymerase 3 is an enzyme that synthesizes the leading and lagging strands of DNA during replication.
Does DNA polymerase 1 have exonuclease activity?
Yes, DNA polymerase 1 has 5' to 3' exonuclease activity.
What is the main function of DNA polymerase 1?
The main function of DNA polymerase 1 is to replace RNA primers with DNA.
What is the role of DNA polymerase 3 in DNA replication?
DNA polymerase 3 acts earlier in the process of DNA replication to synthesize the leading and lagging strands.
What type of activity does DNA polymerase 3 have?
DNA polymerase 3 has 5' to 3' polymerase activity.
Does DNA polymerase 3 have exonuclease activity?
No, DNA polymerase 3 does not have exonuclease activity.
What is the difference between DNA polymerase 1 and DNA polymerase 3?
The main difference is that DNA polymerase 1 replaces RNA primers with DNA, while DNA polymerase 3 synthesizes the new strands.
What is the main function of DNA polymerase 3?
The main function of DNA polymerase 3 is to synthesize the leading and lagging strands of DNA.
How does DNA polymerase 3 interact with primers?
DNA polymerase 3 does not interact directly with primers.
Does DNA polymerase 3 act on the leading or lagging strand?
DNA polymerase 3 acts on both the leading and lagging strands during replication.
Is DNA polymerase 1 essential for DNA replication?
Yes, DNA polymerase 1 is essential for DNA replication.
What type of activity does DNA polymerase 1 have?
DNA polymerase 1 has 5' to 3' polymerase and 5' to 3' exonuclease activity.
How does DNA polymerase 1 interact with primers?
DNA polymerase 1 removes RNA primers during DNA replication.
Does DNA polymerase 1 act on the leading or lagging strand?
DNA polymerase 1 acts on both the leading and lagging strands to replace RNA primers with DNA.
What are some common misconceptions about DNA polymerase 1?
A common misconception is that DNA polymerase 1 is not as important as DNA polymerase 3, but it is essential for replication.
What are some common misconceptions about DNA polymerase 3?
A common misconception is that DNA polymerase 3 is the only enzyme involved in DNA replication.
How are DNA polymerase 1 and DNA polymerase 3 similar?
Both are essential enzymes involved in DNA replication.
What is the role of DNA polymerase 1 in DNA replication?
DNA polymerase 1 acts later in the process of DNA replication to replace RNA primers with DNA.
What is DNA polymerase 1?
DNA polymerase 1 is an enzyme that replaces RNA primers with DNA nucleotides during DNA replication.
Is DNA polymerase 3 essential for DNA replication?
Yes, DNA polymerase 3 is essential for DNA replication.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
