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Questions and Answers
What is the function of Single Stranded Binding Protein?
What is helicase?
An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication.
Define Okazaki fragment.
Short segment of DNA synthesized discontinuously in small segments in the 3' to 5' direction by DNA polymerase.
What is the leading strand in DNA replication?
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What does topoisomerase do?
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What is the role of primase?
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What is an RNA primer?
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How does DNA polymerase on the leading strand synthesize DNA?
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What is the function of ligase?
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What characterizes the lagging strand in DNA replication?
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How does DNA polymerase on the lagging strand synthesize DNA?
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Study Notes
DNA Replication Key Components
- Single-Stranded Binding Protein: Stabilizes and protects single-stranded DNA to prevent premature re-annealing during replication.
- Helicase: Unwinds the DNA double helix, creating two separate strands for replication.
- Primase: Synthesizes a short RNA primer necessary for starting DNA strand synthesis.
DNA Synthesis Mechanisms
- Leading Strand: Continuously synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, allowing smooth elongation alongside the template strand.
- Lagging Strand: Synthesized discontinuously in short segments known as Okazaki fragments, in the 3' to 5' direction, later joined together.
- Okazaki Fragments: Short segments formed during lagging strand synthesis, requiring ligation to create a continuous DNA strand.
Enzymes Involved in DNA Replication
- DNA Polymerase (Leading Strand): Responsible for adding nucleotides to the growing DNA strand exclusively in the 5' to 3' direction.
- DNA Polymerase (Lagging Strand): Works on Okazaki fragments, synthesizing DNA in the 3' to 5' direction, but the fragments are assembled into the growing strand in the 5' to 3' direction.
- Ligase: Connects and seals the gaps between Okazaki fragments, forming a continuous DNA strand.
- Topoisomerase: Relieves the stress of supercoiling by making temporary cuts in the DNA, allowing it to unwind and rejoin after replication progresses.
RNA in DNA Replication
- RNA Primer: Initial segment of RNA synthesized by primase that provides a starting point for DNA polymerase to begin replication.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key components of DNA replication with this labeling diagram quiz. Each card provides important terms and definitions relevant to the replication process. Perfect for biology students at any level!