DNA polymerase

• Each end of a DNA strand is what?

  Slightly different in its structure
• What are the 2 ends of the DNA strand called?


  • one end called the 3' end
  • one end called the 5' end
• How do the strands run in a DNA HELIX?

  in opposite directions- they are ANTIPARALLEL
• What is the active site of DNA polymerase only complementary to ?

  the 3' end of the newly forming DNA strand- so the enzyme can only add nucleotides to the new strand at the 3' end

  • so new strand made in a 5' to 3' direction
• what direction does DNA polymerase move down the template strand in?

  3' to 5' diredction
• because strands in double-helix are antiparallel.......?

  DNA polymerase working in one of the template strands moves in opposite direction to the DNA polymerase working on other template strand