Genetics - DNA replication Flashcards
what important tasks do cells need to complete before they divide?
grow
copy its genetic material (DNA)
physically split into two daughter cells
what two major phases is the cell cycle divided into?
interphase and mitosis (M) phase
what happens during interphase?
G1, S, G2
the cell grows and makes a copy of its DNA
During the mitotic phase, what happens?
the cell separates its DNA into two sets and divides its cytoplasm, forming two new cells
at each cell division, what must a cell do?
it must copy its genome
it is essential that this process occurs accurately
Semi-conservative replication?
DNA acts as a template for its own replication
what type of replication does DNA replicate by?
semi-conservative replication
what does DNA helicase do?
unwinds the DNA
What does DNA polymerase do?
synthesises DNA 5’-3’ direction
what does DNA topoisomerase do?
relieves the tension in DNA
What does DNA primase do?
synthesises RNA primers
what do ribonucleases do?
degrades RNA primers
what does DNA ligase do?
joins DNA fragments
what does telomerase do?
replicates the ends of the chromosome
DNA unwinding?
DNA helicase
SSB
DNA topoisomerase
DNA helicase function?
unwinds the DNA
uses ATP to propel itself along the DNA
SSB? Function?
SSB - single-stranded DNA binding protein
Binds and keep the strands apart
DNA topoisomerase function?
relieves the tension
DNA synthesis process?
DNA polymerase requires a template
DNA polymerase requires a primer
A new strand of DNA is always synthesised in a 5’ to 3’ direction
it elongates from a free 3’OH
Synthesis begins at an origin replication
DNA primase?
synthesises short RNA primer
primer?
short segment of RNA complementary to the template with a 3’OH
3’OH?
3 prime hydroxyl group
DNA replication progresses in the –>
5’-3’ so replication on the leading strand is continuous
As DNA replication cannot progress in the opposite direction…
replication on the lagging strand is discontinuous
Okazaki fragments?
the short DNA sequences (100-1000 nucleotides) synthesised on the lagging strand
DNA helicase results in the formation of a…
replication fork
exonuclease?
removes all of the RNA primers –> another DNA polymerase molecule fills these gaps with DNA nucleotides
How does the DNA polymerase remain attached to the DNA template?
by interaction with a protein called sliding clamp
when does a new sliding clamp come in?
a new clamp has to be loaded on the lagging strand as each Okazaki fragment is synthesised
What happens with the lagging strand?
DNA primase attaches RNA to template
DNA polymerase III adds nucleotides until it reaches the previous primer
RNase H digests the RNA primer, leaving a gap
DNA polymerase I fills in the gaps
DNA ligase then joins the fragments together
telomerase?
elongates parental strand
end problem
what are telomeres?
repetitive regions at the very ends of chromosomes are called telomeres