DNA Replication

Unit 9 DNA Replication

DNA Packaging

The process of folding DNA into compact structures to fit within a microscopic cell.

Replication

The process of copying DNA to create more DNA.

Chromatin

DNA wrapped around proteins, making it more compact.

Histones

Proteins around which DNA is wrapped to form nucleosomes.

Nucleosome

A unit of DNA consisting of DNA wrapped around a histone.

Helicase

An enzyme that separates two strands of DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds.

Primase

An enzyme that lays down RNA primers to guide DNA polymerase.

Polymerase

An enzyme that builds new DNA strands by attaching nucleotides to the parent strand.

Ligase

An enzyme that binds sections of nucleotides together.

Okazaki Fragments

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand.

Leading Strand

The parent strand that runs in a 3' to 5' direction, allowing continuous synthesis.

Lagging Strand

The parent strand that runs in a 5' to 3' direction, synthesized discontinuously.

DNA Directionality

Refers to the orientation of the DNA strands, which are anti-parallel.

5' to 3' Strand

The direction in which DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA.

3' to 5' Strand

The direction in which the leading strand is oriented.

Single Strand Binding Proteins

Proteins that prevent DNA strands from re-annealing during replication.

Semi-conservative Replication

The replication process that results in two copies of DNA, each with one parent and one new strand.

Complementary Strands

Strands of DNA that are opposite in sequence to one another.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds between bases that hold the two strands of DNA together.

RNA Primers

Short sequences of RNA that initiate DNA synthesis.