DNA Replication Flashcards
At what point in the cell cycle does DNA replicate?
S (synthesis) phase
What is semi conservative replication?
When the two DNA strands separate and act as a template for the new strand. Each new duplex is made up of one parental strand and one new daughter strand.
What is conservative replication?
Where the two parental strands stay together and the daughter duplex is completely new.
What is dispersive replication?
Where the parental strands are fragmented and coexists with the new DNA.
In 1958 how did Meleson and Stahl try to prove semi conservative replication?
performed a CsCL (caesium chloride) equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation to distinguish between E. coli duplex DNA containing only 14N only 15N or a mixture of both.
Describe briefly the process they used to prove semi conservative replication.
Grew DNA on 15N for several generations so that there were only heavy duplexes (H/H). Then quickly changed the medium to 14N and test the DNA periodically.
What would be the expected out come of Meleson and Stahl’s experiment if it was conservative replication?
There would two bands one heavy - for the parental strands and one light for the daughter strands.
What would be the expected out come of Meleson and Stahl’s experiment if it was semi conservative replication?
For the first generation there would an intermediate strand - lying in the middle of the gradient as it is a mixture of heavy and light. For the second generation there would be two strands one intermediate and one light.
What would be the expected out come of Meleson and Stahl’s experiment if it was dispersive replication?
For the first generation there would be an intermediate band between heavy and light. For the second generation the band would shift slightly towards the light - 25%H and 75%L
Which form of replication did Meleson and Stahl prove to be correct?
Semi-Conservative
What do replicating bacterial chromosomes resemble?
Theta (greek letter) - there are know as replication eyes or bubbles.
Draw the structure of a bacterial chromosome and indicate the replication forks.
See picture on phone.
What does electron microscopy show about the replication forks?
It indicates that the replication forks are moving away from the central origin.
What is the enzyme for DNA replication in eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
DNA polymerase.
Describe briefly how DNA polymerase works.
Uses single stranded DNA as a template. Adds free dNTPs to the free 3’ OH group of an already bound nucleotide, to synthesis the complimentary strand. Nucleotides selected on ability to (Watson + Crick) base pair with template strand. New DNA strand forms duplex with template strand.
Is synthesis slow or quick? Nucleotides per second?
Very rapid - 1000 nucleotides per second
How does DNA polymerase ensure accuracy?
Has proof reading activity.
What drives the addition of dNTPs to the 3’OH group?
The release of pyrophosphate (two phosphorus groups) and the subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate into two inorganic phosphates (Pi).
What are the two major DNA polymerases?
DNA polymerase I and DNA polymerase III
Describe the activity of DNA polymerase III.
5’-3’ polymerase activity. 3’-5’ exonuclease activity (proof reading).