Cell cycle Flashcards
Why do cells need to replicate?
for growth, repair and replacement as well as reproduction.
What are chromosomes?
Thread-like structures composed of DNA and associated proteins (histones) containing many genes at specific loci.
What is the function of DNA?
DNA controls various cellular functions by coding for functional proteins.
What is DNA replication?
The process by which DNA makes an exact copy of itself.
Why is it important for DNA replication to take place before a cell divides?
All cells need DNA to be able to make proteins.
When a cell (the parent cell) divides into two daughter cells, each daughter cell must inherit the full set of DNA from the parent cell.
If this wasn’t the case, the daughter cells wouldn’t be able to make all the necessary proteins for their survival.
Define DNA replication
Helicase unwinds and unzips the DNA double helix, separating the two parent strands of the DNA molecule from one another by breaking the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
Each strand then acts as a template for synthesizing a new strand of DNA. RNA primase adds an RNA primer at the 3’ end so DNA Polymerase can attach to the template strands.
Then DNA Polymerase copies the DNA template strands, moving 3’ to 5’, by joining up free DNA nucleotides by complementary base pairing.
DNA ligase joins any gaps in the sugar phosphate backbone of the Okazaki fragments . Two identical copies of DNA are produced.
What does it mean by semi-conservative theory of replication?
It means that a newly formed DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
What is the function of helicase in DNA replication?
Helicase unwinds and unzips the DNA double helix, separating the two parent strands of the DNA molecule from one another by breaking the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
In what direction does the leading template strand run?
3’ to 5’ in the same direction Helicase moves along the DNA.
In what direction does the lagging template strand run?
5’ to 3’ in the opposite direction to the movement of Helicase.
What is the function of RNA primase?
RNA primase adds an RNA primer at the 3’ end so DNA Polymerase can attach to the template strands.
What is an RNA primer and what is its function?
An RNA Primer is a short sequence of RNA nucleotides (5~10 nucleotides long) that is complementary to the template strand.
It provides an attachment site for DNA polymerase.
What is the function of DNA polymerase?
DNA Polymerase copies the DNA template strands, moving 3’ to 5’, by joining up free DNA nucleotides by complementary base pairing
Along the leading template strand, in which direction does DNA polymerase move with respect to Helicase?
The same direction as Helicase.
Along the lagging template strand, in which direction does DNA polymerase move with respect to Helicase?
In the opposite direction to helicase.
What is the function of ligase?
To join Okazaki fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds between neighbouring nucleotides.
How does the structure of DNA enable it to be easily replicated?
Double stranded - unwind DNA to provide template strands
Weak hydrogen bonds - easily broken to expose base pairs
Complementary base pairing - enables exact copy of DNA to be made
What is the process by which prokaryotes replicate/reproduce?
Binary fission
What are the four main steps in binary fission in prokaryotes?
Step 1: DNA replication. Step 2: Elongation. Step 3: Septum formation. Step 4: Cytokinesis
State what happens during Gap 1 stage.
Cell growth, Production of enzymes involved in DNA replication, Normal cellular functions.
State what happens during Gap 2 phase.
Cell growth/ Normal cellular functions/ Preparation for mitosis (producing proteins involved in mitosis).
State what happens during Synthesis phase.
DNA replication
Which phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle is longest?
Interphase, which consists of G1, S and G2 phases.
If a cell is diploid, it contains ….
two complete sets of chromosomes, one set from each parent/ pairs of homologous chromosomes