DNA Replication

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to DNA replication, including proteins involved, processes, and their functions.

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell duplicates its DNA before cell division.

Intracellular Organelles

Structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Biomolecules

Organic molecules that are essential for life, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Initiation

The beginning phase of DNA replication, involving recognition of the origin of replication.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double helix of DNA during replication.

ssDNA Binding Proteins

Proteins that stabilize single-stranded DNA by preventing it from re-annealing.

Priming

The process of synthesizing an RNA primer to initiate DNA synthesis.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.

Exonuclease

An enzyme that removes nucleotides from the end of a DNA strand.

Okazaki Fragments

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

Supercoiling

The over- or under-winding of a DNA strand, which can create tension ahead of the replication fork.

Topoisomerases

Enzymes that relieve the strain of supercoiling in DNA.

Prokaryotic Polymerase III

The main enzyme involved in DNA replication in prokaryotes.

Eukaryotic Polymerase δ

An enzyme involved in DNA synthesis on the lagging strand in eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic Polymerase ε

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA on the leading strand in eukaryotic cells.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments during DNA replication.

Termination

The final phase of DNA replication where the process stops and the newly formed DNA is completed.

Tus Protein

A protein that binds to termination sites on DNA in prokaryotes to stop replication.

Telomeres

The end sections of chromosomes that protect them from degradation.

Telomerase

An enzyme that extends telomeres, allowing for complete DNA replication in certain cell types.

Replication Bubble

The region of DNA where the double helix is unwound to allow replication to occur.

Origin of Replication

The specific location where DNA replication begins.

Replisome Assembly

The formation of a complex of proteins that carry out DNA replication.

Initiator Binding

The process where specific binding proteins locate the origin of replication.

MCM Proteins

A complex of proteins that form the eukaryotic helicase during DNA replication.

Replication Fork

The Y-shaped structure formed during DNA replication where the double helix is unwound.

Parental Strands

The original strands of DNA that serve as templates for replication.

Leading Strand

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

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized in short fragments, requiring multiple primers.

RNA Primer

A short segment of RNA synthesized to start the DNA synthesis process.

DNA Template Strand

The strand of DNA that acts as a guide for complementary base pairing during replication.

Nucleoside Triphosphate

Molecules that provide the building blocks for DNA synthesis.

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific pairing between nucleotides (A-T and C-G) in DNA.

3' to 5' Exonuclease Activity

The ability of DNA polymerase to proofread newly synthesized DNA by removing mispaired nucleotides.

dNTPs

Deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, the substrates for DNA synthesis.

DNA Gyrase

A type II topoisomerase in prokaryotes that alleviates supercoiling.

Binding Affinity

The tendency of a protein to bind to a specific DNA sequence.

RNA-dependent DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that uses RNA as a template to synthesize DNA.

Ribonucleotide

A nucleotide that contains ribose, used in RNA synthesis.

DNA Fragment Maturation

The process of resolving Okazaki fragments into continuous DNA.

Eukaryotic Replication Complex

A large assembly of proteins that carry out DNA replication in eukaryotic cells.

Leading Strand Synthesis

Continuous DNA synthesis that occurs in the same direction as the replication fork moves.

Lagging Strand Synthesis

Discontinuous DNA synthesis that occurs opposite to the direction of the replication fork.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that hold complementary base pairs together in DNA.

Nucleotide Excision

The removal of mismatched or damaged nucleotides during DNA repair.

Replication Fidelity

The accuracy of DNA replication, important for maintaining genetic stability.

Primer Removal

The process of excising RNA primers from newly synthesized DNA strands.

Nicked DNA

DNA with unsealed breaks that need to be ligated.

DNA Repair

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

Cohesin

A protein complex that holds sister chromatids together before cell division.

Chromatin Structure

The arrangement of DNA and associated proteins within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from an mRNA template.