DNA Replication

Question 1

Describe the semi-conservative mechanism of DNA replication.

Answer 1

1. DNA Helicase hydrolyses the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs causing the double helix to unwind
2. Each of the separated strands act as a template for the formation of two new complementary strands
3. DNA nucleotides are attracted to exposed complementary bases on template strands
4. Adenine pairs with Thymine and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.
5. Hydrogen bonds form between complementary base pairs
6. DNA Polymerase forms phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides in condensation reactions to form the sugar-phosphate backbone.
7. The two DNA molecules are identical to each other and the original DNA (sister chromatids)
8. Each newly formed DNA molecule contains one of the original polynucleotide strand.