DNA polymerase is an essential enzyme involved in DNA replication, playing a crucial role in the synthesis of new DNA strands. It is responsible for adding nucleotides to the growing DNA chain by pairing complementary bases adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine during the replication process. DNA polymerase ensures that the new DNA strand is an accurate copy of the original template strand.The proofreading function of DNA polymerase is a critical aspect of maintaining the accuracy of DNA replication. This function is carried out by the 3' to 5' exonuclease activity of the enzyme. During replication, if an incorrect nucleotide is incorporated into the growing DNA strand, the DNA polymerase can recognize the mismatch due to the instability of the base pairing. The enzyme then removes the incorrect nucleotide using its exonuclease activity and replaces it with the correct one.This proofreading mechanism significantly reduces the error rate during DNA replication. Without this proofreading function, the number of errors mutations in the replicated DNA would be much higher, leading to various genetic disorders and diseases. By ensuring the fidelity of DNA replication, DNA polymerase plays a vital role in maintaining the stability and integrity of an organism's genetic information.