DNA polymerase is a primer-dependent enzyme because it cannot initiate DNA synthesis on its own. It requires a free 3′-OH group, which is provided by an RNA primer synthesized by primase. Once the primer is available, DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to elongate the new DNA strand.

• RNA polymerase can initiate synthesis without a primer, so it is primer-independent

• Oligonucleotide is not an enzyme; it is a short nucleotide sequence

• DNA ligase joins DNA fragments (e.g., Okazaki fragments) but does not require a primer for initiation