DNA Replication and Genetics

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts related to DNA replication and genetics.

DNA replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself, ensuring each daughter cell inherits an exact copy of the genetic material.

Anti-parallel

Refers to the orientation of the two strands of DNA, which run in opposite directions (5' to 3' and 3' to 5').

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 in short segments known as Okazaki fragments.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer to provide a starting point for DNA synthesis.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand and is responsible for DNA synthesis.

Okazaki fragments

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

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double helix of DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the two strands.

Single-stranded binding proteins

Proteins that bind to single-stranded DNA during replication to prevent the strands from re-annealing.

Telomere

Specialized DNA sequences at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect them from degradation.

Avery-MacLeod-McCarty experiment

An experiment that identified DNA as the transforming substance responsible for heredity in bacteria.

Chargaff's rule

The observation that in DNA, the amount of adenine (A) equals thymine (T) and the amount of guanine (G) equals cytosine (C).

Semi-conservative replication

The mechanism of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule contains one old strand and one new strand.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Proofreading activity

The ability of DNA polymerase to detect and correct errors during DNA synthesis.

Origins of replication

Specific sites where DNA replication begins, allowing for bidirectional replication.

Nucleotide

The building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Base pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA, where adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine.

Genetics

The study of heredity and inherited variation.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria, used in early experiments to demonstrate DNA as genetic material.