Molecular Biology: DNA Structure and Replication

These flashcards cover key concepts related to DNA structure and replication, including terminology and mechanisms essential for understanding molecular biology.

Complementary base-pairing

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

Chargaff's Rules

In a DNA molecule, the amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of guanine equals cytosine.

Antiparallel

Referring to the orientation of DNA strands, where one strand runs 5' to 3' and the other runs 3' to 5'.

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell copies its DNA before cell division, ensuring each new cell has a complete set of genetic instructions.

Semiconservative replication

A model of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that adds new nucleotides to a growing DNA strand and proofreads the newly formed DNA.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that connects or joins DNA fragments together during replication.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction during DNA replication.

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized in short fragments, called Okazaki fragments, and is formed discontinuously.