4.2 Flashcards
The enzyme that separates the parental strands of DNA to start replication
Helicase
The specific site where DNA replication begins
Origin of Replication
The Y-shaped region where the parental strands of DNA are being unwound
Replication Fork
The enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of new DNA by adding nucleotides to a preexisting chain
DNA Polymerase
The direction that new DNA strands grow
5’ to 3’
The new strand of DNA that can be added to continuously
Leading Strand
Portions of the lagging strand
Okazaki fragments
Why is DNA replication considered to be a semi-discontinuous process?
DNA replication is considered a semi-discontinuous process because one strand, called the leading strand, is synthesized continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction, while the other strand, known as the lagging strand, is synthesized discontinuously in short fragments called Okazaki fragments. This semi-discontinuous mechanism allows for efficient and accurate replication of the entire DNA molecule.
What types of bonds does helicase break?
Hydrogen
True or False: DNA replication starts at one single location along a chromosome of DNA
False
A ____ functional group is attached to the 3’ carbon and a _____ functional group is attached to the 5’ carbon
hydroxyl, phosphate
