DNA Replication Name:

DNA Structure  DNA Replication

"It hasn't escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying

mechanism for genetic material." Watson and Crick

DNA’s structure allows it to perform its function of storing information in a way that can
be copied and passed down to future generations.
Structure Importance in DNA Replication (describe structure &
function)

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Semi-Conservative Replication

What does “semi-conservative” mean?

What are the alternatives to semi-conservative

replication?

Conservative:

Dispersive:

How do we know DNA replication

is semi-conservative?

Messelson and Stahl Experiment

START:

CYCLE 1:

CYCLE 2:

CYCLE 3:

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 1. Breaks hydrogen bonds between bases unzipping the double helix
a. Begins to unwind the DNA at the (a
specific nucleotide sequence)
b. Helicase enzymes move in both directions from the point of Origin, forming a
DNA HELICASE

c. At either end of the replication bubble is a , a Y-

shaped region where the new strands of DNA are elongating

In cells there is one origin of replication

In cells there are 100’s to 1000’s of origins of replication

2. Ahead of the replication fork, gyrase unwinds the super coil of DNA. Also known as
topoisomerase.
GYRASE

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 3. Hold the DNA strands apart (keeps the separated strands apart and stabilize the unwound
DNA). Name the protein structure with the stated function.

4. The enzyme adds nucleotides to complementary base

PRIMASE AND PRIMERS

sequences. These RNA nucleotides act as a for DNA nucleotides.

a. are short segments of RNA, about nucleotides long
b. Must have a primer because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to another
nucleotide

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5. __________________adds DNA nucleoside _____phosphates to the RNA primer
sequence in a direction

Where does the energy for bonding usually come from?

The nucleotides arrive as -

 DNA bases with P–P–P

 P-P-P =

 DNA bases arrive with source for bonding

 bonded by enzyme:

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ADDING BASES

• DNA polymerasre III can only add nucleotides to

of a growing DNA strand

• Need a “starter” nucleotide to bond to

• Strand only grows

LEADING STRAND: DNA polymerase III can synthesize a

complementary strand on one side of the template in the 5’ to 3’
direction with no problem.

LAGGING STRAND:
a. DNA polymerase III must work
the replication fork.
b. Makes a short strand of DNA, called an
.
c. As the bubble widens, it can make another short
strand, and so on.

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 6. RNA primers are removed and replaced with nucleotides by
.
DNA POLYMERASE I

7. Along the _______________ strand the Okazaki fragments are joined by DNA
___________ to form a single DNA strand.
DNA LIGASE

8. Proofreading of DNA by DNA polymerase I

a. & corrects typos
b. repairs bases
c. removes bases

d. reduces error rate from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100 million bases

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Replication Fork Drawing
Using pencil, you will draw a representation of DNA replication along the leading and lagging strands. Follow the
directions below, drawing each element in its proper location along the replicating DNA strand. Once you are sure
everything is in the correct place, complete your drawing by adding color to distinguish objects as separate.

1. Label one DNA gyrase

2. Label one helicase
3. Label single stranded binding proteins
4. Label the leading strand
5. Label the lagging strand
6. Label a DNA polymerase III on the leading strand and another on the lagging strand
7. Label an Okazaki fragment
8. Label four RNA primers
9. Label one primase enzyme
10. Label one DNA polymerase I enzyme
11. Label one DNA ligase enzyme

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Polymerase Chain Reaction
1. Denature:

2. Anneal:

Taq polymerase:

3. Elongate:

4. Repeat:

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