EXPLAIN Why are stabilizing proteins needed to keep the DNA strands separated? a. Hydrogen bonds normally cause the DNA strands to stick together. b. The wrong nucleotides can mistakenly pair up on the templates. c. The two strands can coil around each other preventing replication. d. Without stabilizing proteins, the DNA strands can fragment.

## Step 1<br />The question is asking why stabilizing proteins are needed to keep the DNA strands separated during the process of DNA replication. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option a suggests that hydrogen bonds cause the DNA strands to stick together. This is true because hydrogen bonds are responsible for holding the two strands of DNA together. <br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option b suggests that the wrong nucleotides can mistakenly pair up on the templates. This is not directly related to the role of stabilizing proteins in keeping the DNA strands separated.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option c suggests that the two strands can coil around each other preventing replication. This is not directly related to the role of stabilizing proteins in keeping the DNA strands separated.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option d suggests that without stabilizing proteins, the DNA strands can fragment. This is not directly related to the role of stabilizing proteins in keeping the DNA strands separated.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Based on the above analysis, the correct answer is option a, as it is the only option that directly addresses the role of stabilizing proteins in keeping the DNA strands separated.