DNA Replication and PCR Flashcards

Flashcards on DNA Replication and PCR

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that controls the sugar-phosphate bonding of individual nucleotides into the new DNA strand during replication.

Leading Strand

The strand where DNA is replicated continuously.

Lagging Strand

The strand where DNA is replicated in fragments.

Replication Fork

A Y-shaped region where DNA replication occurs.

Primer

A short strand of nucleotides that binds to the 3’ end of the template DNA strand to initiate replication; composed of RNA nucleotides.

Ligase

Enzyme that joins DNA fragments together to form a continuous strand.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify DNA in a lab, relying on the same principle as DNA replication.

Primers (in PCR)

Short strands of nucleotides which are complementary to a specific target sequence at the two ends of the region of DNA to be amplified in PCR.

Taq Polymerase

A heat-tolerant DNA polymerase, first isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, used in PCR.

Denaturing (in PCR)

Stage of PCR where DNA is heated to break hydrogen bonds and separate the two strands.

Annealing (in PCR)

Stage of PCR where temperature is reduced to allow primers to bond to their target sequence.

Extension (in PCR)

Stage of PCR where heat-tolerant DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to replicate the region of DNA.

Gel Electrophoresis

Used to describe the movement of ions in an applied electrical field, often used to separate DNA fragments by size.

DNA Sequencing

A technique used to determine the order of nucleotide bases in a DNA molecule.

Restriction Enzyme

Enzymatically cuts DNA at specific nucleotide sequences; each restriction enzyme recognizes only one particular sequence.

Recognition Site

The specific nucleotide sequence recognized by a restriction enzyme.

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule that exists separately from the bacterial chromosome; can be used as a vector to carry foreign DNA into host cells.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that originates from a different source.

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that controls the sugar-phosphate bonding of individual nucleotides into the new DNA strand during replication.

Leading Strand

The strand where DNA is replicated continuously.

Lagging Strand

The strand where DNA is replicated in fragments.

Replication Fork

A Y-shaped region where DNA replication occurs.

Primer

A short strand of nucleotides that binds to the 3’ end of the template DNA strand to initiate replication; composed of RNA nucleotides.

Ligase

Enzyme that joins DNA fragments together to form a continuous strand.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify DNA in a lab, relying on the same principle as DNA replication.

Primers (in PCR)

Short strands of nucleotides which are complementary to a specific target sequence at the two ends of the region of DNA to be amplified in PCR.

Taq Polymerase

A heat-tolerant DNA polymerase, first isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, used in PCR.

Denaturing (in PCR)

Stage of PCR where DNA is heated to break hydrogen bonds and separate the two strands.

Annealing (in PCR)

Stage of PCR where temperature is reduced to allow primers to bond to their target sequence.

Gel Electrophoresis

Used to describe the movement of ions in an applied electrical field, often used to separate DNA fragments by size.

DNA Sequencing

A technique used to determine the order of nucleotide bases in a DNA molecule.