: any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template — compare dna polymerase, rna polymerase.

What does the name polymerase mean?

polymerase. / (pəˈlɪməreɪz) / noun. any enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of a polymer, esp the synthesis of DNA or RNA.

What does polymerase do in DNA?

DNA polymerase (DNAP) is a type of enzyme that is responsible for forming new copies of DNA, in the form of nucleic acid molecules. Nucleic acids are polymers, which are large molecules made up of smaller, repeating units that are chemically connected to one another.