BLUEPRINT OF LIFE

DNA REPLICATION

Read the passage below and answer the questions.

During the resting stage (interphase) between nuclear divisions in mitosis and meiosis, the genetic
material needs to duplicate itself so it can be ready for further division. We can observe that the
single chromatids in the daughter cells after mitosis and meiosis become doubled again before
prophase of the next division. Since chromosomes are composed of DNA, what is effectively
happening here is that the DNA molecules are replicating themselves.
In order to duplicate itself, the DNA molecule actually ' unzips', breaking the hydrogen bonds
between its complementary base pairs in the process. As it breaks apart, nucleotides consisting of a
sugar, phosphate and nitrogen base assemble themselves from the raw materials of the cell and
attach themselves to the exposed bases. A nucleotide with cytosine as its base will only bond with an
exposed guanine, an adenine only with a thymine and so on. In this way the unique base sequence
for each particular DNA molecule is preserved and the genetic information in the cell can be copied
exactly. The presence of the enzyme DNA polymerase, along with other specific enzymes, is
required for this process.

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1) Complete the diagram showing DNA replication above by writing in the correct names of the
bases on the newly formed DNA strands.

2) a) What is a gene? A gene is the basic unit of inheritance and are composed of DNA and code for traits.
b) Use your answer to explain why DNA replication also results in an exact copy of the original
genes present in a cell. DNA replication results in an exact copy of the original genes as the process
undergone through mitosis produces
3) Copy and complete, using the words listed below.

unzipping, interphase, base, DNA polymerase, phosphate, nucleotides,

DNA replicates during interphase of meiosis and mitosis. This process involves the DNA
unzipping to form two separate strands. As this happens, nucleotides consisting of a sugar, phosphate
and complementary nitrogen base attach themselves to the single parent strands at the
appropriate bases. The enzyme, DNA polymerase is required for this process.

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BLUEPRINT OF LIFE 2
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DNA REPLICATION

ANSWERS

1)

2) a) A gene is a section of a DNA molecule that codes for a particular polypeptide. 3

b) When a DNA molecule replicates, the sequence of nitrogen bases that codes for a particular
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gene must also replicate.
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3) Copy and complete: interphase, unzipping, nucleotides, phosphate, base, DNA polymerase. 3
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