DNA Replication Flashcards
Describe the three steps of DNA replication.
- Double-stranded DNA is separated.
- DNA that is complementary to the unwound/separated DNA is made.
- RNA primers are replaced with DNA by a special DNA polymerase.
Define the origin of replication.
The origin of replication is a little bubble rich in AT bonds where the DNA separates to create two replication forks.
How does the unzipping of DNA progress during replication?
The unzipping progresses in both directions away from the origin of replication, allowing replication to occur in both directions and reducing the time needed for the process.
What enzymes are involved in separating DNA strands?
Topoisomerase unwinds the DNA, helicase unzips the DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds, and single-strand binding proteins (SSB) stabilize the unwound DNA by binding to it.
Explain the role of single-strand binding proteins (SSB) in DNA replication.
SSBs are responsible for keeping DNA unwound after helicase and stabilize single-stranded DNA by binding to it.
Identify the enzyme that unwinds DNA during replication.
Topoisomerase is the enzyme that unwinds DNA.
What is the function of helicase in DNA replication?
Helicase unzips the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the strands.
Describe the stability of single-stranded DNA.
Single-stranded DNA is unstable and prone to degradation by DNA nucleases.
How does DNA polymerase synthesize new DNA?
which direction?
DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA in the 5’ to 3’ direction, requiring a template and a primer.
Explain the process of creating a new DNA strand from the Leading Strand.
An RNA primer is placed on the leading strand by DNA Primase, and DNA Polymerase III expands the strand in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
What is the direction of the leading strand during DNA replication?
The leading strand goes in the 3’ to 5’ direction.
How is a new DNA strand created from the Lagging strand?
DNA Primase places an RNA primer near the replication fork, and DNA Polymerase III expands the strand in the 5’ to 3’ direction, creating Okazaki fragments.
What are Okazaki fragments?
Okazaki fragments are short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.
How are RNA primers replaced during DNA replication?
RNA primers are removed and replaced by DNA through the activity of DNA polymerase I.
What role does DNA ligase play in DNA replication?
DNA ligase seals the nicks that remain after the RNA primers are replaced with DNA.
Define specific coupling in DNA replication.
Specific coupling ensures that nucleotides are incorporated with correct base-pairing along the separated strands (A with T, G with C).
Why is DNA replication considered semi-conservative?
DNA replication is considered semi-conservative because it produces two double-stranded DNA molecules, each containing one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
List the enzymes involved in DNA replication.
The enzymes involved in DNA replication include Helicase and Primase, among others.
Describe the role of DNA Helicase in DNA replication.
DNA Helicase uses hydrolysis of ATP to unwind the DNA helix at the replication fork, allowing the resulting single strands to be copied.
Define the function of Topoisomerases in DNA replication.
Topoisomerases relax the super-coiling that results from unwinding the DNA helix.
How does Primase contribute to DNA replication?
Primase synthesizes RNA primers that act as templates for future Okazaki fragments to build on.