DNA Replication Flashcard

Front

What does it mean when we say that the two strands of DNA are complementary to each other?

Back

They have sequences that match up such that adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Front

Which nucleotides pair together in DNA?

Back

Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Front

What is the role of primase during the initiation of DNA replication?

Back

It makes RNA primers on both strands.

Front

What is the function of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

Back

It adds free nucleotides to the new DNA strand.

Front

Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA helix during replication?

Back

Helicase.

Front

What is the structure of DNA?

Back

DNA is a double helix composed of two strands of nucleotides.

Front

What are the building blocks of DNA?

Back

The building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Front

What is the significance of the 5' and 3' ends of a DNA strand?

Back

The 5' end has a phosphate group, and the 3' end has a hydroxyl group, which determines the direction of DNA synthesis.

Front

What is the function of ligase in DNA replication?

Back

Ligase joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

Front

What are Okazaki fragments?

Back

Okazaki fragments are short sequences of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.