DNA replication

• What is SEMI - CONSERVATIVE REPLICATION?

  • Ensures genetic continuity between generations of cells meaning that GENETIC INFORMATION is passed on from one GENERATION from the next
• What are the steps of SEMI - CONSERVATIVE REPLICATION of DNA ?

  1. The DOUBLE HELIX UNWINDS and the HYDROGEN BONDS between the complementary bases BREAK, catalysed by DNA HELICASE, thus separating the two strands of DNA
  2. One of the strands is used as the TEMPLATE and COMPLEMENTARY BASE PAIRING occurs between the TEMPLATE STRAND and FREE NUCLEOTIDES
  3. ADJACENT NUCLEOTIDES are joined by PHOSPHODIESTER BONDS formed in condensation reactions, catalysed by DNA polymerase.
• What is the primary function of helicase?

  Its primary function is to unwind double-stranded DNA into single-stranded DNA.
• In which biological processes is helicase essential?

  Helicase is essential for DNA replication, repair, and recombination.
• What are the key points about helicase?

  - Helicase is an enzyme. - It separates double-stranded DNA. - Essential for DNA replication and other processes.
• What is transcription in the context of gene expression?

  Transcription is the first step in gene expression where DNA information is copied into RNA.