Prokaryotic DNA Replication Quiz

Prokaryotic DNA Replication: Key Players and Process

• Prokaryotic DNA replication is well studied due to small genome size and availability of mutants.
• E. coli has a single circular chromosome of 4.6 million base pairs that gets replicated in about 42 minutes.
• DNA polymerase is a key enzyme that adds nucleotides to the growing DNA chain, requiring energy from nucleotides with three phosphates.
• DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis, while DNA pol I and II are primarily for repair.
• Origins of replication are specific nucleotide sequences where replication begins, recognized by proteins that bind to the site.
• Helicase unwinds DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds, forming Y-shaped replication forks that extend bidirectionally from the origin of replication.
• Single-strand binding proteins prevent the single-stranded DNA from winding back into a double helix.
• DNA polymerase extends the new DNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction, requiring a free 3'-OH group to add nucleotides.
• RNA primase synthesizes an RNA primer that provides the free 3'-OH end for DNA polymerase to add nucleotides.
• The leading strand is synthesized continuously, while the lagging strand is synthesized in Okazaki fragments and requires a new primer for each fragment.
• The sliding clamp holds the DNA polymerase in place, while topoisomerase prevents over-winding of the DNA double helix ahead of the replication fork.
• DNA ligase seals the nicks between newly synthesized DNA and previously synthesized DNA, completing the replication process.

Test your knowledge on prokaryotic DNA replication with this informative quiz! From the key players to the step-by-step process, this quiz covers all the essential details you need to know. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand the role of DNA polymerase, helicase, single-strand binding proteins, and more. Don't miss out on the chance to expand your understanding of this fascinating biological process. Take the quiz now!