Identify the enzyme that catalyzes the unwinding of the DNA double helix during the process of DNA replication.

Step-by-step solution

During DNA replication, the unwinding of the DNA double helix is catalyzed by the enzyme helicase. It breaks the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases of the two strands to separate them. In contrast, during transcription, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase itself facilitates the opening of the DNA helix. DNA-dependent DNA polymerase catalyzes the polymerization of deoxynucleotides, and DNA ligase joins the discontinuous DNA fragments. Answer: Helicase