BIO CATCH-UP

DNA replication and the genetic code

Semi-conservative replication

- For DNA to replicate the double helix structure must unwind and then separate into two
strands, so the hydrogen bonds holding the complementary bases together must be broken.
Free DNA nucleotides will then pair with their complementary bases (exposed when strands
separated).
- Hydrogen bonds are formed between the complementary bases and then the nucleotides
join to their adjacent nucleotides with phosphodiester bonds
- This way two new molecules are produced
- Each one consists of one old strands and one new strand of DNA this is known as semi-
conservative.
- The unwinding and separating of the two strands of the DNA double helix is carried out by
enzyme DNA helicase
- Free nucleotides pair with the newly exposed bases on the template strands during
‘unzipping’. DNA polymerase catalyses the formation of phosphodiester bonds with these
nucleotides

ORDER OF DNA replication

1) A representative portion of DNA which is about to undergo replication

2) AN enzyme DNA helicase causes the two strands of DNA to separate
3) DNA helicases completes the separation of the strand. meanwhile free nucleotides that have
been activated are attracted to their complementary bases
4) Once the activated nucleotides are lined up they are joined together by DAN polymerase
(bottom three nucleotides) and the remaining unpaired bases continue to attract their
complementary nucleotides
5) Finally al the nucleotides are joined to form a complete polynucleotide chain using DNA
polymerase, in this way, two identical molecule of DNA are formed, each new molecule of
DNA is composed of one original strand and one newly formed molecule

Continuous and discontinuous replication

-DNA polymerase moves along the template strand in the same direction, it can only bind to the 3’
OH end so travels in the direction of 3’ to 5’.

DNA only unwinds and replicaes in one direction so DNA polymerase has to replicate each of the
template strands in opposite directions. Strand from3’ end can be continuously replicated as the
strands unzip.

- This strand is called the leading strand and is said to underogo continuous replucation