During the formation of the replication fork, what is the main role of helicase?

The main role of helicase during the formation of the replication fork is to separate hydrogen bonds between nucleotides. Helicase unwinds the double-stranded DNA, breaking the hydrogen bonds that hold the two complementary strands together. This unwinding is essential for DNA replication because it results in the formation of two single-stranded templates that can be used by DNA polymerase to synthesize new strands of DNA. The action of helicase is critical in facilitating access to the DNA for the enzymes involved in replication, ensuring that the process can proceed effectively. This function of helicase is foundational to the mechanism of DNA replication, allowing the cell to accurately duplicate its genetic material.