What is the function of primase?

Primase is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA primers during DNA replication. RNA primers are short sequences of RNA (around 10 nucleotides long) that serve as a starting point for DNA polymerase to elongate and synthesize new DNA strands. Primase is essential for DNA replication as DNA polymerase cannot initiate replication on a naked template strand, it requires an RNA or DNA primer. Primase is also involved in DNA repair processes and in the formation of Okazaki fragments during lagging strand synthesis. Additionally, primase may play a role in the regulation of chromosomal DNA replication and in the control of DNA damage responses.