Closer Look at Replication (2/3)

Question 1

DNA Polymerase Function

Answer 1

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that brings free floating nucleotides into the replication fork and pairs them with their complementary bases ( A = T ) ( C =- G)

Question 2

What is considered the heart of replication and define it

Answer 2

Heart of replication is elongation, Elongation is the process of joining nucleotides to extend a new strand of DNA.

Question 3

Where is Elongation located?

Answer 3

Both leading and lagging strands, it is contionous on the leading strand and discontinious on the lagging strand.

Question 4

What is the exception with DNA Polymerase and what is the solution?

Answer 4

DNA Polymerase is only able to add nucleotides to an already existing chain, it cannot create a new one. Therefore it adds to an RNA strand as it is the first one produced during DNA synthesis.

Question 5

What is the RNA chain called?

Answer 5

Primer and it gets synthesized by the primase.

Question 6

After the synethesizing of the primer, what happens?

Answer 6

DNA can start building from the RNA primer at the 3’ end. (The lagging strand).