Western Governors University (WGU) CHEM3501 C624 Biochemistry Objective Assessment Practice Exam

Nucleotide repair primarily serves the function of correcting mismatches during replication. This process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the genetic information passed on to daughter cells during cell division. When DNA is replicated, errors can occur, such as incorrect base pairing, which can lead to mutations if not corrected.

The mechanisms of nucleotide repair are designed to identify and correct these mismatches, ensuring that the DNA sequence remains faithful to the original template. Mismatch repair systems recognize and remove incorrect nucleotides, replacing them with the correct ones, effectively preventing the propagation of genetic errors.

In contrast to the other options, while repairing double-stranded breaks is vital for maintaining genome stability, it is specifically addressed through different mechanisms like homologous recombination or non-homologous end joining, rather than nucleotide repair. Removing introns from mRNA involves a distinct process known as RNA splicing, unrelated to nucleotide repair tasks, and sealing gaps in the DNA backbone is more specifically related to DNA ligase activity in the context of repair, particularly after single-strand breaks or as part of replication rather than directly correcting mismatches. Thus, the primary function of nucleotide repair relates directly to correcting mismatches during DNA replication.