DNA Review and Replication

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding DNA structure, replication, and the differences between DNA and RNA, based on the provided lecture notes.

DNA replication

The process of making an exact copy of DNA necessary for cell division.

Template

Something that serves as a model for others to copy.

dNTPs

Nucleotides that contain deoxyribose sugar, consisting of adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Helicase

An enzyme that acts like a zipper to unwind and separate the DNA double helix.

Gyrase (Topoisomerase type 2)

An enzyme that relaxes supercoiling that occurs when helicase unwinds the DNA.

Primer

A short piece of RNA that acts as a starting point for DNA synthesis.

DNA Polymerase III

An enzyme that synthesizes a new DNA strand complementary to the DNA template.

Leading strand

The strand of DNA that is built continuously towards the replication fork.

Lagging strand

The strand of DNA that is built in short fragments, away from the replication fork.

RNA

A single-stranded nucleic acid that contains ribose sugar and uses uracil instead of thymine.

Bidirectional replication

A process where DNA replication occurs simultaneously in two directions, creating replication forks.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.