DNA as the Genetic Material Flashcards
The 2 helical strands of DNA run parallel to each other, but go in opposite directions.
Antiparallel
Nitrogen base + the sugar =
without the phosphate group
Nucleosides
Nitrogenous base, sugar, and 1-3 phosphates =
Nucleotides
An array of nucleotides.
DNA
RNA base pairs:
A + U
C + G
DNA base pairs:
A + T
C + G
Process of copying DNA for proper cell division to occur.
Replication
Part of cell cycle.
Cell grows, carries out cell processes, and replicates its DNA.
Interphase
Part of cell cycle.
Cell undergoes cell division.
Mitosis
How DNA is copied to make DNA for new cells.
Replication
Enzyme that separates the DNA strands into a lagging strand and a leading strand.
Unzips the double helix.
Helicase
Easily replicated because it runs in the same direction as the original strand.
Replicated continuously.
Leading Strand
Important enzymes in DNA replication:
Helicase
DNA Polymerase
Primase
Ligase
Topoisomerase
Process of replication is described this way because each DNA molecule is made up of 1 old conserved strand of DNA and 1 newly synthesized strand.
Semi-Conservative
Adds the appropriate base pairs.
DNA Polymerase
Opposite in direction.
DNA polymerase can’t replicate as easily.
Lagging Strand
On the lagging strand.
RNA primer attaches and the DNA polymerase adds small groups of base pairs.
What are these small groups of base pairs called?
Okazaki Fragments
DNA sequence with altered nucleotides.
Can change the function of the DNA sequence or even render it unstable.
Mutation
The parent DNA separates and a newly synthesized strand is added to each parent strand.
Each double helix of DNA created by replication contains 1 DNA strand from the parent and 1 newly synthesized DNA strand.
Semi-Conservative Replication
Main steps in DNA replication:
Initiation
Elongation
Termination
Runs 5’ to 3’.
Leading Strand
Runs 3’ to 5’.
Antiparallel strand. Complementary to the leading strand.
Lagging Strand
Helicase (enzyme) break down the hydrogen bonds between base pairs (“unzips”). —> 2 strands of DNA must be separated to use the DNA as a template for replication. —> DNA replication fork.
Topoisomerase (enzyme) surround the “unzipped” separated strands of DNA and relax the twisting of helices.
Parent DNA is separated into 2 strands: leading strand and lagging strand.
Primase (enzyme) builds short stretches of RNA called primers that are required to start elongation.
Initiation
Enzyme breaks down the hydrogen bonds between base pairs.
Separates strands to be used as a template.
“Unzips” DNA strand.
Helicase