DNA Replication

Front

What is DNA replication?

Back

The process by which a DNA molecule makes a copy of itself, resulting in two identical DNA strands.

Front

What is the role of the enzyme DNA ligase?

Back

DNA ligase is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Front

What does it mean for DNA strands to be anti-parallel?

Back

The two strands of DNA run in opposite directions; one strand runs 5' to 3' and the other runs 3' to 5'.

Front

What are the components of a DNA nucleotide?

Back

A DNA nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).

Front

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

Back

The 5' end has a phosphate group, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group; this orientation is crucial for DNA replication and enzyme activity.

Front

What is the function of helicase in DNA replication?

Back

Helicase unwinds the double helix of DNA, separating the two strands to allow replication to occur.

Front

What is the difference between leading and lagging strands during DNA replication?

Back

The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork, while the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments (Okazaki fragments) away from the fork.

Front

What is semi-conservative replication?

Back

A method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Front

What is the role of DNA polymerase?

Back

DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.

Front

What is an Okazaki fragment?

Back

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.