DNA Replication

Flashcards covering key concepts related to DNA replication.

DNA

The genetic material located in the nucleus that codes for all information the body needs to develop.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, made of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Semiconservative replication

A model of DNA replication where each daughter DNA molecule consists of one parental strand and one new strand.

Phosphodiester bond

The bond formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl group of another nucleotide.

Replication fork

The partial opening of the DNA double helix formed during replication where strands are unwound.

Okazaki fragments

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication that are joined together later.

Leading strand

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

Lagging strand

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

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain.

Telomeres

Specialized structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that prevent degradation and maintain chromosome integrity.

DNA Repair

The process by which a cell identifies and corrects damage to its DNA.

Chargaff's rules

Rules stating that in DNA, the amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine, and the amount of cytosine equals the amount of guanine.

Helecase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix ahead of the replication fork.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer to initiate DNA replication.

DNA ligase

An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments together on the lagging strand.

Eukaryotic replication

More complex replication that occurs in eukaryotes, involving multiple origins of replication and the enzyme telomerase.

DNA Gyrase

A type of topoisomerase that helps relieve torsional strain during DNA replication.

Dispersive model

A model of DNA replication where new DNA is dispersed throughout each strand of both daughter molecules after replication.

Excision repair

A nonspecific DNA repair mechanism where damaged DNA is removed and replaced with newly synthesized DNA.

Photorepair

A specific DNA repair mechanism that uses light to cleave thymine dimers caused by UV radiation.