DNA Replication

DNA

Organic macromolecule classified as a nucleic acid.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules made of nucleotide building blocks.

Nucleotides

Building blocks of DNA, consisting of three parts.

Phosphate

One of the three components of nucleotides.

Sugar

Part of nucleotides; specifically deoxyribose in DNA.

Nitrogenous Bases

Molecules in nucleotides that pair to form DNA structure.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases with two rings; adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases with one ring; thymine and cytosine.

Covalent Bonds

Links nucleotides together in the DNA strand.

Sugar-Phosphate Backbone

Structural framework of DNA formed by nucleotides.

5' End

Head of DNA strand with phosphate group.

3' End

Tail of DNA strand with hydroxyl group.

Antiparallel Strands

DNA strands run in opposite directions.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds holding nitrogenous bases together.

Chargaff's Rules

A pairs with T; G pairs with C.

Semi-Conservative Replication

Each old DNA strand pairs with a new one.

Leading Strand

Continuously synthesized DNA strand during replication.

Lagging Strand

Discontinuously synthesized DNA strand with Okazaki fragments.

Helicase

Enzyme that unwinds and unzips DNA double helix.

RNA Primase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA primer for DNA replication.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that adds nucleotides to growing DNA strand.

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that seals gaps between Okazaki fragments.

Replication Fork

Y-shaped region where DNA strands separate during replication.