Replication and repair

Semiconservative Replication

DNA replication process where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Replication Origins

Specific sequences in DNA where replication is initiated.

Helicase

Enzyme that unwinds the double helix of DNA during replication.

Replication Bubbles

Regions where the DNA double helix is unwound and replication is actively occurring.

Topoisomerase

Enzyme that helps relieve the tension in the DNA molecule ahead of the replication fork.

Anneal

Process of complementary base pairing between single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules.

Single-strand Binding Proteins (SSBs)

Proteins that bind to single-stranded DNA to prevent reannealing and stabilize the DNA during replication.

DNA Polymerase III

Enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication.

Nucleoside Triphosphates

Building blocks used by DNA polymerase to add nucleotides to the growing DNA strand.

RNA Primase

Enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer to initiate DNA replication.

RNA Primer

Short RNA sequence that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis.

Leading Strand

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

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized discontinuously in the 5' to 3' direction during replication, forming Okazaki fragments.

Okazaki Fragments

Short DNA fragments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

DNA Polymerase I

Enzyme that replaces RNA primers with DNA nucleotides during replication.

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that seals the nicks between Okazaki fragments to create a continuous DNA strand.

DNA Polymerase II

Enzyme involved in DNA repair and replication processes.