DNA Replication, Repair, and Recombination

Flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts related to DNA replication, repair, and recombination.

DNA replication

The process of duplicating genetic information carried in the form of DNA.

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence.

Mutation rate

The rate at which observable changes occur in DNA sequences.

DNA polymerase

The primary enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.

Okazaki fragments

Short DNA fragments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

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 fragments in the opposite direction of the replication fork.

Replication fork

The localized region of replication that progresses along the parental DNA double helix.

Telomeres

Specialized structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that protect DNA from degradation.

DNA repair

A set of processes that correct spontaneous changes in DNA to maintain genome integrity.

Base excision repair

A DNA repair process that recognizes and corrects improper bases in the DNA.

Nucleotide excision repair

A DNA repair mechanism that removes and replaces damaged sections of DNA.

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)

A repair mechanism that rejoins broken DNA ends but may lead to loss of nucleotides.

Homologous recombination

A precise repair process that uses a sister chromatid or homologous chromosome as a template for repairing DNA.

Initiator proteins

Proteins that start the process of DNA replication by binding to replication origins.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix at the replication fork.

Proofreading

The process by which DNA polymerases check for errors during DNA synthesis and correct them.

DNA replication involves the synthesis of a new strand complementary to the original template strand.

DNA

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

helicase

Okazaki fragments are formed on the strand during DNA replication.

lagging

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

leading

Telomeres are located at the of linear chromosomes, protecting

During homologous recombination, a chromatid is used as a template for repairing DNA.

sister

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) may lead to loss of at the break sites when repairing DNA.

nucleotides

Homologous recombination is a precise repair process that involves alignment of sequences.

homologous

The process of can introduce genetic diversity and is crucial for meiosis.

recombination

Initiator proteins play a key role in starting the process of by binding to replication origins.

DNA replication