semi conservative replication

    Cards (14)

    • What mechanism is used in DNA replication?
      Semi-conservative replication
    • What is the role of DNA helicase in DNA replication?
      It unwinds and unzips the DNA double helix
    • What holds the two strands of the DNA double helix together?
      Hydrogen bonds between bases
    • What happens to the hydrogen bonds during DNA replication?
      They break, allowing the strands to separate
    • What do free nucleotides do during DNA replication?
      They pair with exposed bases
    • What is complementary base pairing?
      Adenine pairs with thymine, cytosine with guanine
    • What enzyme catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds?
      DNA polymerase
    • What is the sugar phosphate backbone in DNA?
      It is formed by phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides
    • Why is DNA replication called semi-conservative?
      Each new DNA molecule has one old and one new strand
    • What are the steps of DNA replication?
      1. DNA unwinds and unzips by DNA helicase
      2. Hydrogen bonds between bases break
      3. Free nucleotides pair with exposed bases
      4. DNA polymerase forms phosphodiester bonds
      5. New sugar phosphate backbone is created
      6. Resulting DNA molecules have one old and one new strand
    • What nitrogen isotopes were used in the famous experiment for DNA replication?
      N-14 and N-15
    • What was observed after the first cycle of replication in the nitrogen experiment?
      A mix of N-14 and N-15 molecules
    • What was the result after the second generation in the nitrogen experiment?
      A mix of N-14, N-15, and some N-15 only
    • How does the experiment with nitrogen isotopes provide evidence for semi-conservative replication?
      It shows that each DNA molecule contains one old strand
    See similar decks