DNA replication

• What is the process by which DNA replicates itself?

  DNA replication
• Why does DNA replicate before cell division?

  To ensure each new cell has full DNA
• What is semi-conservative replication?

  Half of the strands are original DNA
• What does genetic continuity refer to?

  Inheritance of genes from parent cells
• How does the structure of DNA facilitate its replication?

  It has a paired base structure
• What are the steps of DNA replication?

  1. DNA helicase unwinds the helix.
  2. Original strands serve as templates.
  3. Complementary base pairing occurs.
  4. DNA polymerase joins nucleotides.
  5. New strands form with original strands.
• What role does DNA helicase play in DNA replication?

  It breaks hydrogen bonds between bases
• What is the function of complementary base pairing during replication?

  It ensures accurate nucleotide matching
• What enzyme catalyzes the joining of nucleotides in DNA replication?

  DNA polymerase
• In which direction is the new DNA strand synthesized?

  5' to 3' direction
• How does DNA polymerase move along the template strand?

  In a 3' to 5' direction
• What is the significance of the antiparallel structure of DNA strands during replication?

  • DNA polymerase works in opposite directions.
  • Ensures proper synthesis of both strands.
  • Maintains the integrity of the double helix.
• Who proposed the theory of semi-conservative DNA replication?

  Watson and Crick
• What did Meselson and Stahl's experiment demonstrate?

  DNA replication is semi-conservative
• What isotopes of nitrogen were used in Meselson and Stahl's experiment?

  Heavy nitrogen and light nitrogen
• What happens to bacteria grown in heavy nitrogen when placed in light nitrogen?

  They replicate using light nitrogen
• What would indicate conservative replication in Meselson and Stahl's experiment?

  Heavy DNA at the bottom, light at the top
• What was the actual result of Meselson and Stahl's experiment?

  DNA settled in the middle of the tube
• What conclusion was drawn from Meselson and Stahl's findings?

  DNA replication is universal in living things