Which enzyme helps initiate the synthesis of a new DNA strand by laying down RNA primers?

The enzyme that plays a crucial role in initiating the synthesis of a new DNA strand by laying down RNA primers is primase. During DNA replication, primase synthesizes short RNA primers that provide a starting point for DNA polymerases, which are responsible for extending the DNA strand. This is vital because DNA polymerases cannot begin synthesis de novo; they can only add nucleotides to an existing strand. The RNA primers are complementary to the template DNA strand and allow the DNA polymerase to start the elongation process, ultimately leading to the formation of a new DNA strand. Without primase and the RNA primers it synthesizes, DNA replication would not be able to commence properly.