BIOL 111 Reading Guide: 16.

2
This document is designed to help you identify important terms and concepts as you read. It is
meant to help you prepare for class. Therefore, it will be graded for completeness, not
correctness. However, you should be sure to correct any incorrect information as you study. As
you read, define the important vocabulary terms and try to answer the conceptual questions. Do
not modify the document except to input your responses.
Section 16.2
Vocabulary
1) DNA replication: this is the important procedure of creating copies of DNA in which are
identical, prior to cell division.

2) Origin of replication: this is where the replication of a DNA molecules starts.

3) Replication fork: This is where DNA double stranded divides into two two strands (in which
are single).

4) Primer: this is the starting point for a strand that in new and it’s a short DNA segment.

5) Leading strand: it’s one DNA strand that, while DNA replication, is copied in the 3’ - 5’
direction.

6) Lagging Strand: this is a strand of DNA in which is replicated and shaped in fragments that
are small in size.

7) Okazaki fragment: these are short DNA fragments in which are synthesized that are shaped
on the lagging template strand , amongst the process of DNA replication.

8) Mismatch repair: this goes in detail about cells that have changes in certain genes, this
happens after the DNA has been created.

9) Nuclease: This is a type of enzyme in which cuts DNA or RNA, this is done by taking away a
base or hydrolyzing the actual DNA.

10) Telomere: this is a section where there are monotonous nucleotide sequences in which are
located at each end of a chromosome.

Conceptual Questions
1) What is the structure of a double stranded DNA molecule?:
The structure of a DNA molecule is two strands of DNA, where each of the two strands consist
of DNA nucleotides.

a. Which bases pair together?:

Adenine pairs with thymine and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.
b. How are base pairs held together?:
By hydrogen bonds amongst the pairs.

2) DNA is replicated in a semi-conservative manner. What does this mean?:

This means that each strand of a DNA molecule with a double helix, is copied in a different way.

3) List each protein involved in accomplishing DNA replication and describe its function.:
DNA Helicases are responsible for encouraging the division of the two strands. DNA
single-stranded which cohere to the DNA and tries to stable the single-stranded structure that is
created. DNA Gyrase which are a key element in DNA replication that is bacterial. DNA
Polymerase is the significant enzyme that carries out the 5'-3' polymerase purpose. Primate
which hydroxyl group is satisfied by the RNA primers, DNA Ligase which is the last part that
makes a covalent phosphodiester link amongst 3'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphate groups. Which is a
quite crucial step.

4) Why is an RNA primer needed for replication?:

The reason why RNA primer is needed is because DNA polymerase actually can’t make a
nucleotide chain although it can expand to it.

5) During DNA replication one strand is synthesized continuously (leading) while the other is not
(lagging). What is it about the DNA that prevents synthesis from being continuous on both
strands?:
What prevents it from being continuous is that the two strands of a DNA double helix are not
parallel.
What is mismatch repair? Why is it necessary?:
Mismatch repair is done once DNA is constructed. The reason why it’s crucial is because it’s
needed for keeping the stability of the genome.

7) Why is replicating the ends of DNA faithfully difficult?:

It’s difficult because the ends of such chromosomes aren’t able to be entirely copied amongst
the replication process.
a. What is telomerase and how does it function during replication?:
Telomerase is actually an enzyme that assists cells by maintaining their existence by adding
DNA to the end of chromosomes.It’s crucial in ensuring the existence of the cells.