AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein (SSB) binds with high affinity in a cooperative manner to single-stranded DNA and does not bind well to double-stranded DNA. After binding single-stranded DNA, SSB destabilizes helical duplexes, thereby allowing DNA polymerases to access their substrate more easily.

Detailed explanation-2: -During DNA replication, the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) wraps single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with high affinity to protect it from degradation and prevent secondary structure formation. Although SSB binds ssDNA tightly, it can be repositioned along ssDNA to follow the advancement of the replication fork.

Detailed explanation-3: -Single-Stranded Binding Proteins stabilize the unwound DNA. SSB molecules bind to the newly separated individual DNA strands during DNA replication. What this does is keep the strands separated by holding them in place. The purpose is so that each strand can serve as a template for new DNA synthesis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Examples. DNA-binding proteins include transcription factors which modulate the process of transcription, various polymerases, nucleases which cleave DNA molecules, and histones which are involved in chromosome packaging and transcription in the cell nucleus.