Topic 1C Flashcards
what are key elements of info needed to understand DNA replication?
strands are antiparallel, purine base pairs with pyrimidine base
template strand
in DNA replication, the parental strand whose sequence is used to synthesize a complementary daughter strand
daughter strand
in DNA replication, the strand synthesized from a parental template strand
semiconservative replication
the mechanism of DNA replication in which each strand of a parental DNA duplex serves as a template for the synthesis of a new daughter strand
after replication, what does each new DNA duplex consist of?
one strand that was originally part of the parental duplex and one newly synthesized strand
what does conservative replication (the alternative model) propose?
the original DNA duplex remains intact and the daughter DNA duplex is completely new
who’s research and experimental evidence supported semiconservative replication?
Meselson and Stahl-used two non-radioactive isotopes of nitrogen and measured density of DNA
replication fork
the site where the parental DNA strands separate as the DNA duplex unwinds
new DNA strands grows in what direction?
can only grow by adding successive nucleotides to the 3’end-grows in a 5’ to 3’ direction
DNA polymerase
an enzyme that is a critical component of a large protein complex that carries out DNA replication (highly conserved)- synthesizes a new DNA strand from an existing template*
what can correct mistakes in replication?
DNA polymerase
leading strand
a daughter strand that has its 3’ end pointed toward the replication fork, so as the parental double helix unwinds, this daughter strand can be synthesized as one long, continuous polymer
lagging strand
a daughter strand that has its 5’ end pointed toward the replication fork, so as the parental double helix unwinds, a new DNA piece is initiated at intervals, and each new piece is elongated at its 3’ end until it reaches the piece in front of it
Okazaki fragment
in DNA replication, any of the many short DNA pieces in the lagging strand
what explains the presence of leading and lagging strands during DNA replication?
the antiparallel nature of the two strands in a DNA double helix and the fact that DNA polymerase can synthesize DNA in only one direction
primer
a short stretch of RNA at the beginning of each new DNA strand that serves as a starter for DNA synthesis
why is a primer needed?
because DNA polymerase cannot begin a new strand on its own, can only elongate the end of an existing piece of DNA or RNA
RNA primase
an RNA polymerase that synthesizes a short piece of RNA complementary to the DNA template and does not require a primer
where is the section of RNA primer located?
at the 5’ end, the lagging strand has many primers for each fragment
in the lagging strand, when a growing fragment comes into contact with the primer, what happens?
a different DNA polymerase removes RNA primer and extends fragment of DNA to fill space left over. DNA ligase joins fragments
DNA ligase
an enzyme that uses the energy in ATP to close a nick in a DNA strand, joining the 3’ hydroxyl of one end to the ‘ phosphate of the other end
topoisomerase II
an enzyme that breaks a DNA helix, rotates the ends and seals the break-relieves stress on the double helix that results from its unwinding at the replication fork
helicase
a protein that unwinds the parental double helix at the replication fork
single-strand binding protein
a protein that binds single-stranded nucleic acids-prevents template strands from coming back together
how does synthesis of DNA strands occur at the same time and rate?
the synthesis is coordinated because: polymerase complexes for each strand stay in contact with each other-polymerase passes through in the same direction, lagging strand is looped until new legging strand encounters previous fragment: 3’ end of both strands are elongated together
what happens to rate of replication when DNA damage occurs?
rate of synthesis slows down so that DNA can be repaired