CP Biology - DNA Replication

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of DNA replication in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, enzymes involved, and the process of replication.

Prokaryotic cells

Small cells that do not have a nucleus and contain one circular chromosome.

Eukaryotic cells

Large cells that contain DNA in a nucleus organized into many linear chromosomes.

Linear

A term describing a molecule, such as a eukaryotic chromosome, that has a beginning and an end.

DNA Replication Timing

Occurs before the cell divides so each daughter cell has its own copy of the original DNA.

Origin

The specific location where replication begins in prokaryotic cells.

Replication bubbles

Sites in the nucleus where eukaryotic DNA replication occurs.

Eukaryotic replication efficiency

Replicating at several sites simultaneously shortens the time required for replication from 29 days to 12 hours.

DNA Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double helix and unzips a section of DNA to form a replication bubble.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that adds complementary nucleotides to the $3'$ end of the primer and proofreads the new strand for mismatches.

3’ side

The specific end of the primer where nucleotides are added during DNA replication.

Semiconservative

A type of replication where two identical copies of DNA are produced, each containing half of the original DNA and one new strand.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome produced during replication and held together at the centromere.

Proofreading

The process by which DNA polymerase identifies and fixes a mismatch if the wrong base pair is added.