DNA Replication

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Enzyme that breaks hydrogen bonds (unzips)

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Helicase: An enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs.

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Site where replication begins

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Replication Origin: The specific location on the DNA molecule where replication starts.

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The fragments on the lagging strand that are made up of repeating segments of DNA and RNA Primers

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Okazaki fragments: Short sequences of DNA nucleotides synthesized discontinuously and later linked together on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

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DNA polymerase moves in the _________ to ____________ direction

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5' to 3': DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction.

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Enzyme that connects the DNA to the backbone (glues)

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Ligase: An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand and seals nicks in the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA.

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What is the role of Primase in DNA replication?

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Primase: An enzyme that synthesizes short RNA primers that provide a starting point for DNA polymerase to begin DNA synthesis.

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What is the function of DNA polymerase?

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DNA polymerase: An enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.

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Define the term 'Replication Fork'.

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Replication Fork: The Y-shaped region where the DNA double helix is unwound and separated into two single strands during replication.

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

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5' and 3' ends: These refer to the directionality of the DNA strands; DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to the 3' end, thus synthesizing in the 5' to 3' direction.

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What are the components of a nucleotide?

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Nucleotide: The basic building block of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).