DNA Replication and Chromosome Structure

A set of flashcards focusing on key terminology and concepts related to DNA replication and chromosome structure.

Helicase

An enzyme that breaks hydrogen bonds between DNA base pairs, unwinding the double helix.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA primers necessary for DNA replication initiation.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that adds DNA nucleotides to the growing DNA strand and can proofread for errors.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that seals nicks between the DNA strands, forming a continuous backbone.

Semi-conservative replication

A method of DNA replication where each new double-stranded DNA molecule consists of one parental and one daughter strand.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA through cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension.

Denaturation

The first step in PCR where DNA is heated to separate its strands.

Annealing

The step in PCR where primers bind to the DNA strands at a specific temperature.

Elongation

The step in PCR where DNA polymerase adds complementary bases to the growing DNA strand.

Autosomes

Non-sex chromosomes; humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.

Sex chromosomes

The chromosomes that determine biological sex, with humans having 23 pairs labeled XX for female and XY for male.

Homologous chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes and are inherited from each parent.

Karyotype

An organized profile of a person's chromosomes, arranged in pairs from largest to smallest.

Alleles

Variants of a gene found at the same location on homologous chromosomes.

Diploid (2N)

Cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid (N)

Cells that contain only one set of chromosomes, such as sperm and egg cells.