How DNA works

Question 1

What is the most important feature of DNA?

Answer 1

One of the most important features of the DNA molecule is that it can replicate, or copy itself, exactly. This is the characteristic, above all others, that it means it can pass on genetic information from one cell or generation to another.

Question 2

Who produced the double helix model of the DNA?

Answer 2

Watson and Crick.

Question 3

How does the DNA replicate itself?

Answer 3

There are two models: conservative and semiconsertive.

Question 4

What experimental evidence is there the consecutive model is the accepted model on how DNA replicates?

Answer 4

Meselson and Stahl came up with very elegant set of experiments to prove that semiconsertive was how DNA replicates.

Question 5

DNA helicase

Answer 5

DNA helicase is an enzyme involved in DNA replication that unzips the two strands of the DNA molecule.

Question 6

DNA polymerase

Answer 6

This is an enzyme involved in DNA replication that lines up and catalyses the linking up of the nucleotide along the template strand.

Question 7

DNA Ligase

Answer 7

This is an enzyme involved in DNA replication that catalyses the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the two strands of DNA.