DNA Replication Key Terms

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Helicase

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An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication.

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DNA Polymerase

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An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a pre-existing chain.

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RNA Primer

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A short segment of RNA that is synthesized by primase and serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis.

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DNA Ligase

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An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

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Okazaki Fragments

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Short sequences of DNA nucleotides which are synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by DNA ligase to create the lagging strand.

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Primase

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An enzyme that synthesizes the RNA primer needed to start DNA replication.

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Leading Strand

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The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction during DNA replication.

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Lagging Strand

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The DNA strand that is synthesized discontinuously in short sections called Okazaki fragments during DNA replication.