2.

6 DNA Replication

A semi-conservative
method

AP Biology 2007-2008
 Understandings
Statement
2.7.U1 The replication of DNA is semi-conservative and depends on complementary
base pairing.
2.7.U2 Helicase unwinds the double helix and separates the two strands by breaking
hydrogen bonds.
2.7.U3 DNA polymerase links nucleotides together to form a new strand, using the
pre-existing strand as a template.

The different types of DNA polymerase do not need to be distinguished.

Applications and Skills

2.7.A1 Use of Taq DNA polymerase to produce multiple copies of DNA rapidly by the
polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

2.7.S2 Analysis of Meselson and Stahl’s results to obtain support for the theory of
semi-conservative replication of DNA.
AP Biology
 HL-Part
7.1.U2 DNA structure suggested a mechanism for DNA replication.

7.1.U3 DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 3’ end of a primer.

7.1.U4 DNA replication is continuous on the leading strand and

discontinuous on the lagging strand.
Statement

Details of DNA replication differ between prokaryotes and

eukaryotes. Only the prokaryotic system is expected.

7.1.U5 DNA replication is carried out by a complex system of enzymes.

The proteins and enzymes involved in DNA replication should
include helicase, DNA gyrase, single strand binding proteins, DNA
primase and DNA polymerases I and III.

7.1.A2 Use of nucleotides containing dideoxyribonucleic acid to stop DNA

replication in preparation of samples for base sequencing.

AP Biology
 What do genes code for?
 How does DNA code for cells & bodies?
 how are cells and bodies made from the
instructions in DNA

DNA proteins cells bodies

AP Biology
 The “Central Dogma”
 Flow of genetic information in a cell
 How do we move information from DNA to proteins?

p ti on ti on
c ri l a
trans trans
DNA RNA protein trait

DNA gets
all the glory,
replication but proteins do
all the work!

AP Biology
 Initial Thoughts on Replication

AP Biology
 Meselsohn & Stahl Experiment
 E. coli
 Nitrogen isotopes
 Grown in specific
medium
 Allowed to replicate

strate on?
is illu licati
h
s t ve rep
oe
o w d
r vati
H ns e
i - co
sem

AP Biology
 Replication Proteins
Protein Role
Helicase Unwinds the double helix at the replication
fork
DNA Gyrase relieves strain while double-strand DNA is
being unwound by helicase leading to the
formation of negative supercoiling of the
DNA.
Primase Synthesizes RNA primer
DNA Polymerase III Synthesizes new strand by adding
nucleotides onto the primer (5’ to 3’)

DNA Polymerase I Removes primer and replaces it with DNA

DNA ligase Joins the ends of DNA segments and

Okazaki fragments
You need to know the function of EACH of these in order to be
AP Biology successful on the HL Biology exam!
 DNA Replication – General Process
WHY = All Cells must
prepare for cell
division by
DOUBLING the DNA
content!

End Product = 2 new

DNA Strands
Wh
base at does
pairi co
ng h mpleme
ave
to do ntary
with
it?
AP Biology
 Where Does Replication Begin?

 Replication
bubble

 What’s the
difference
between the
LEADING and the
LAGGING strand?

AP Biology
AP Biology
 Sources
1. DNA Replication Animation

2. Animation

3. Role of DNA Gyrase:

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072995246/student_view0/chapter20/
action_of_dna_gyrase.html

1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VefaI0LrgE
http://www.wiley.com/college/pratt/0471393878/student/animations/dna_replication/
index.html

AP Biology
7.1.A2 Use of nucleotides containing dideoxyribonucleic acid to stop DNA replication in
preparation of samples for base sequencing.

Stopping DNA Replication

Why? – for base sequencing (DNA OR GENE sequencing)

Base sequencing: determines the sequence of nucleotides in a section of

DNA. This can be used to determine if someone has a genetic condition
e.g. carries genes which are very likely to cause breast cancer.

How ? – Using of nucleotides containing dideoxyribonucleic acid to stop

DNA Replication

Dideoxyribonucleic acid nucleotides have a hydrogen (H) attached to the carbon at

position 3, rather than a hydroxyl (-OH) as is the normal case ulters phosphodiester
bond formation. .
Product? Short sections of new DNA strands with the last nucleotide
in each is dideoxynucleotide)

AP Biology
AP Biology
Use of Taq DNA polymerase to produce multiple copies of DNA rapidly by the polymerase chain reaction .

PCR: What Is It & Why Did it Revolutionize Research?

IN VITRO REPLICATION:

 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

produces exponentially large quantities
of DNA from trace amounts
 Drop of blood PCR Machine (Thermal Cycler)
 Single hair follicle

 One cheek cell

Uses a process of heating

and cooling, enzymes and
free nucleotides to make
DNA from a template
sample.

AP Biology
Use of Taq DNA polymerase to produce multiple copies of DNA rapidly by the polymerase
chain reaction

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/
content/pcr.html

Kary Mullis  Analysis is impossible

with the DNA from just
one or a few cells.
PCR is an efficient
way to generate more
DNA from a template.
Amplifying (making more) DNA would
have been impossible without his
contributions.

AP Biology
 In addition to the target DNA, a PCR rxn contains other ingredients:
Free nucleotides
DNA primers Enzyme Taq polymerase

AP Biology
 aa
From gene to protein aa

nucleus cytoplasm aa

aa

aa

aa
transcription translation aa

DNA mRNA protein

aa

aa
aa
aa

ribosome

trait
AP Biology
 Any Questions??
What color would a smurf turn
if he held his breath?

AP Biology 2007-2008