What type of biomolecules do ligases generally work with?

Ligases are enzymes that play a crucial role in the biological processes of joining two large molecules together, typically in the context of nucleic acid metabolism. This means that they are fundamentally involved in the synthesis of larger biomolecules, such as DNA and RNA.

When ligases act on nucleic acids, they catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides, effectively linking them to form a larger polymer. This function is essential during DNA replication and repair, as well as in processes like RNA splicing. Because ligases are primarily associated with these significant biomolecular events, the correct answer indicates their function with large molecules rather than small molecules, simple sugars, or proteins.

While ligases can operate on various substrates, their main role is distinctly tied to the larger molecular structures necessary for maintaining and manipulating genetic information. This is what makes their action unique and critical in the context of large biomolecular synthesis.