DNA REPLICATION IB BIO (HL)

DNA replication

The process of copying DNA to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Helicase

Enzyme that unwinds and separates the double-stranded DNA during replication.

DNA Gyrase

Enzyme that reduces torsional strain by relaxing positive supercoils formed during DNA unwinding.

Single Stranded Binding (SSB) Proteins

Proteins that bind to separated DNA strands to prevent re-annealing and protect them from nucleases.

DNA Primase

Enzyme that generates short RNA primers on the template strands to initiate DNA synthesis.

DNA Polymerase III

Enzyme that attaches to the RNA primer and synthesizes new DNA strands in the 5' to 3' direction.

DNA Polymerase I

Enzyme that removes RNA primers from the lagging strand and replaces them with DNA nucleotides.

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that joins the Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand to form a continuous DNA strand.