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DNA and DNA Replication Notes

DNA contains the genetic instructions that are passed down from parents to offspring. It has a double helix structure with two strands bonded together. Each strand acts as a template for copying itself exactly through the process of DNA replication. Replication occurs through unwinding of the strands, addition of complementary nucleotides, and production of two new DNA molecules identical to the original.

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59 views

DNA and DNA Replication Notes

DNA contains the genetic instructions that are passed down from parents to offspring. It has a double helix structure with two strands bonded together. Each strand acts as a template for copying itself exactly through the process of DNA replication. Replication occurs through unwinding of the strands, addition of complementary nucleotides, and production of two new DNA molecules identical to the original.

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观龙
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DNA and DNA Replication Notes

DNA - Why is it Important?


 DNA - genetic material passes from generation to generation.
 DNA - controls cellular activities by controlling the production of proteins and
enzymes
 DNA - determines an organisms traits.
 DNA - holds the information for life.
DNA Structure
Antiparllel Double Helix
 DNA molecule made up of 2 connected chains of nucleotides forming a
ladder-like structure.
 Side of ladder are made of alternating phosphate and deoxyribose molecules.
 Rung of ladder made up of pair of nitrogen bases bonded by hydrogen bonds.

Complementary
 Because the bases pair together in only one way, the two strands of a DNA
molecule are complementary.
 If you know the order of the bases in one strand - you also know the order in
the second.
Information
 Contained in the linear sequence of the bases in the polynucleotide chain
 DNA for all organisms has same structure, but difference sequences =
different information
 A+T or G+C are different for different species

DNA Replication
DNA Replication
 DNA - can make EXACT copies of itself in a process called replication.
 Replication occurs during the process of mitosis and meiosis.
 Replication occurs for growth and repair

DNA Replication - Steps


1.Enzyme breaks hydrogen between bases
2.DNA helix unwinds - two strands separate (unzip)
3.Free nucleotides from the cytoplasm enter the nucleus, where they bond to
complementary bases on the DNA strands.
4.Result - two identical DNA molecules that are EXACT copies of the original.
DNA Replication: Basic Concept

Synthesis of new DNA

 New DNA is synthesized by adding one nucleotide at a time

DNA Synthesis in both Strands


 Enzyme only works from 5’ to 3’
 Antiparallel - one goes 5’ to 3’; the other goes 3’ to 5’.
 New synthesis has to go in opposite directions.
Semiconservative Model:
 Watson and Crick showed: the two strands of the parental molecule separate,
and each functions as a template for synthesis of a new complementary
strand.

DNA Repair - Excision (cut) repair:


1.Damaged segment is excised (cut) by a repair enzyme (there are over 50
repair enzymes).
2.DNA polymerase and DNA ligase replace and bond the new nucleotides
together.

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