Molecular biology
DNA: the genetic material
• 4 monomers (nucleotides)
• Structure of nucleotides- sugar + nitrogen base+ phosphate group
• Simple polymers
• Few variation
• Pentose sugar - Deoxyribose
• Sugar-phosphate backbone
• Nitrogen bases
○ Purines
○ Pyrimidines
DNA replication
• Takes place in the nucleus
• First the two strands of DNA are separated, then each of the two strands is
used as a template
Enzymes
• Helicase- unzips the DNA helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the
base pairs, thus creating the replication fork
• DNA polymerase- forms daughter DNA strand by adding complementary dNTP's
to 3' end. Cannot initiate new strand formation, cannot start from scratch.
• Polymerase III- proofreading, adds dNTP's
• Polymerase I- replaces RNA primers with DNA
, • Helicase- unzips the DNA helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the
base pairs, thus creating the replication fork
• DNA polymerase- forms daughter DNA strand by adding complementary dNTP's
to 3' end. Cannot initiate new strand formation, cannot start from scratch.
• Polymerase III- proofreading, adds dNTP's
• Polymerase I- replaces RNA primers with DNA
• RNA primase- forms RNA primer, which acts as a guide for polymerase. The
primer is later removed and dNTP's are added
• DNA ligase- joining together the Okazaki fragments on lagging strand
• Topoisomerase- keeps the helix and the templates from supercoiling
Process
• The helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, thus creating
the replication fork, multiple helicases are needed on different segments of
DNA, which are called sites of origin => multiple replication
• Helicase is unzipping from 3' to 5' direction
○ Since helicase unzips from 3' to 5', and DNA pol II ads only to 3', the
replication is continuous -> leading strand
○ The opposite strand, helicase again unzips from 3' to 5', and DNA pol II
ads only to 3' on the new strand, the replication is done in small parts
called the Okazaki fragments and the strand is called lagging strand -
discontinuous
• RNA primase makes a short RNA strand called a primer whish shows DNA pol
where to start.
• DNA pol III adds dNTP's to the 3' end of the primer.
• DNA pol I removes the short segments of RNA primers, changed by the
complementary dNTP's
• DNA ligase joins/ seals DNA Okazaki fragments, producing one continuous
strand again 3' to 5'
Bidirectional replication in E.coli
Theta replication
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller tsvetinanikolova. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $8.11. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.