DNA replication

Question 1

Describe the process of DNA replication

Answer 1

1) DNA helicase breaks hydrogen bonds → unwinds double helix
2) 2 strands act as templates
3) free floating nucleotides attracted to exposed bases via specific complementary base pairing → hydrogen bonds form
4) DNA polymerase joins adjacent polynucleotides → forming phosphodiester bonds

Question 2

Why is semi conservative replication important?

Answer 2

Ensures genetic continuity between generations of cells

Question 3

Who provided evidence for semi conservative replication ?

Answer 3

Meselson and Stahl

Question 4

What way does DNA polymerase move

Answer 4

Moves in opposite ways along anti parallel DNA strands

Question 5

How does DNA polymerase work?

Answer 5

-DNA has antiparallel strands → 3’5’ and 5’3’
-DNA polymerase is an enzyme with a specific active site which can only bind to substrate with a complementary site → only the phosphate/the 3’ end of the developing strand