DNA Replication Flashcards
1
Q
Which enzyme unzips the double helix of DNA?
A
Helicase (“helix-ase”)
2
Q
Which enzyme sets up a “starting block” of RNA so that each DNA strand can be replicated?
A
RNA primase (‘lays a primer”)
3
Q
Which enzyme creates the matching pairs of nucleotides that make up the new DNA strands?
A
DNA polymerase (poly=many, “builds many pairs”
4
Q
Which enzyme reviews the new strand and removes the RNA uracil to complete the new strand?
A
DNA ligase (ligase sounds like ligament, binds the strand together)
5
Q
What’s different about the leading strand vs. the lagging, “stubborn” strand?
A
It has to be replicated backwards because DNA polymerase can only work in one direction.