DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during DNA replication. It adds nucleotides to the growing DNA chain by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides. DNA polymerase also has proofreading capabilities to ensure accuracy in replication.
DNA replication occurs during the S phase of interphase, which happens before meiosis I in the cell cycle. This ensures that each chromosome consists of two sister chromatids before the start of the meiotic divisions.