EXERCISE 6

MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY

(REPLICATION OF THE GENETIC MATERIAL)

DNA replicates in a semi-conservative manner, i.e., a newly synthesized molecule

contains an old strand from the parent DNA and a newly synthesized DNA strand.
The two strands of the parent DNA serveas the template or pattern from which a
complementary strand is synthesized.

Materials:

Using available materials¸ prepare a DNA replication kit containing the following:
pieces to represent nucleotides
representation of the hydrogen bonds
pieces to represent protein requirements

Procedure:

The activity will be done in groups.

1. Read on DNA replication in prokaryotes. Each group will prepare a DNA

replication kit. Assign a nucleotide color code to prepare your DNA replication
kit.
2. Using your materials, assemble this template DNA using the DNA nucleotides:
TAC-CTT-TTC-AAT-AAT-ATG-GGG-CAT-TGA-GGC-AGC-ATC.
Include a representation of the hydrogen bonds and the necessary enzymes and
other requirements of DNA replication.
3. The final output will be discussed during the post-lab discussion by the assigned
group.
 EXERCISE 6
MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY
(DNA REPLICATION)

NAME: DATE:
SECTION: SCORE:

Cite objectives for this exercise.

Briefly discuss the function of the following proteins in DNA replication.

1. DNA helicases
2. SSB proteins
3. DNA topoisomerases
4. RNA polymerase
5. DNA polymerase I
6. DNA polymerase III
7. DNA Ligase

Guide Questions:

1. Compare and contrast DNA pol I, II and III in terms of structure and activity.
2. Briefly explain how an RNA primer is formed. Why is it needed?
3. Briefly explain why replication of the leading strand is continuous while that of
the lagging strand is discontinues?
4. Predict the consequence (s) in the cell and the organism if DNA polymerase I is
absent or non-functional during replication.