DNA Replication Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for 9th grade Pre-AP Biology students reviewing DNA replication.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the hereditary material found in the nucleus of cells.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA, composed of a phosphate group, deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Base pairing rule

Rule that states Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T) and Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G).

Helicase

The enzyme responsible for unwinding and unzipping the DNA double helix during replication.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that adds complementary nucleotides to the growing DNA strand and proofreads for accuracy.

Ligase

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

Semi-conservative replication

A method of DNA replication in which each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously in the same direction as the replication fork.

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized discontinuously against the direction of the replication fork, forming Okazaki fragments.

Okazaki Fragments

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