When double-stranded dna is heated to 95°c, the bonds between complementary base pairs break to produce single-stranded dna. considering this observation, is the strand separation step required for replication of the double helix spontaneous? why or why not?

Single-stranded DNA is produced during all aspects of DNA metabolism: replication, recombination, and repair. No. A continuous input of energy is required. Chemical reactions are spontaneous if they can proceed on their own, without any continuous external influence such as added energy (in this case heat).

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