Prokaryotic DNA Replication and Termination

Vocabulary flashcards covering prokaryotic DNA replication concepts, lagging strand mechanics, termination proteins, and decatenation.

Leading Strand

A strand during DNA replication that undergoes a continuous form of replication and requires only one primer.

Lagging Strand

A strand during DNA replication that is synthesized discontinuously, requiring multiple primers and experiencing replication obstacles.

Primase

The enzyme involved in placing primers on DNA strands during replication.

Thrombin Model

A proposed mechanism of replication at the lagging strand that features three polymerase cores instead of two.

TUS Protein

Termination Utilizing Substrate protein, an essential component that binds to halting sites to stop DNA replication.

Ter Sites

Specific halting or termination sites distributed across circular DNA, such as points a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j.

Decatenation

The final replication process of separating the two interconnected circular DNA strands at the end of replication.

Topoisomerase

The enzyme that assists in carrying out the decatenation process to separate linked prokaryotic DNA strands.