DNA polymerase is an enzyme whose primary function is to synthesize new DNA molecules by assembling nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, based on an existing DNA template strand

. During DNA replication, DNA polymerase "reads" the original DNA strand and adds nucleotides to the 3' end of the newly forming strand, extending it in the 5' to 3' direction

. This process creates two identical DNA duplexes from one original duplex, ensuring that genetic information is accurately copied and passed on to daughter cells during cell division

. DNA polymerase operates by catalyzing the chemical reaction that links deoxynucleoside triphosphates to the growing DNA strand, releasing pyrophosphate as a byproduct

. It requires a primer with a free 3' hydroxyl group to initiate synthesis, often provided by an RNA primer laid down by another enzyme called primase

. The enzyme also has proofreading ability in many cases, where it can detect and correct errors by excising incorrectly paired nucleotides through its 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, thus maintaining high fidelity in DNA replication and reducing mutation rates

. DNA polymerase works with other proteins like helicase and sliding clamps to efficiently replicate DNA at high speed and processivity

. In summary, DNA polymerase is essential for copying DNA accurately during cell division, enabling the faithful transmission of genetic information across generations