Which of the following best describes the role of DNA polymerase?

The role of DNA polymerase is to synthesize new DNA strands during the process of DNA replication. This enzyme adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand by matching them with the complementary bases on the template strand. DNA polymerase ensures that the new strand is an accurate copy of the original DNA, which is crucial for cellular reproduction and the maintenance of genetic information.

In the context of DNA replication, DNA polymerase works in conjunction with other enzymes. It can't initiate a new DNA strand on its own; it requires a primer—a short segment of RNA—provided by primase to start synthesis. Once the primer is in place, DNA polymerase extends this primer to form a new DNA strand. This process is fundamental for cell division and the transmission of genetic material to daughter cells.

The other options mention functions that are associated with different enzymes: unwinding of DNA strands is primarily conducted by helicase; synthesizing RNA from DNA is the function of RNA polymerase during transcription; and the removal of RNA primers is carried out by enzymes like RNase H or DNA polymerase I, which has a role in replacing RNA primers with DNA nucleotides after the synthesis of the new DNA strand.