DNA

REPLICATIO
N
 Objective
● I will understand the structure of DNA and how it copies
itself.
● I will connect DNA replication with mitosis and the growth
of organisms.
DNA Basics
What is DNA?
● DNA is a code containing
information that cells ”read”
to make proteins
● Those proteins determine a
variety of traits from hair
color to how you digest food
Molecular Structure of DNA
● DNA is a large molecule that is shaped like a
twisted ladder called a double helix.
● The outside of the ladder is made of sugar
molecules, called deoxyribose, alternating with
phosphate molecules.
● The “rungs” of the ladder are nucleotides. These
hold the information contained in DNA
Study the diagram to identify
the following DNA

4 nucleotides:
Adenine
Guanine
Cytosine
Thymine

The backbone
deoxyribose (a sugar)
phosphate groups
 DNA is
antiparallel,
meaning that its
two strands run in
opposite
directions. Notice
that the left strand
goes from 5’ (read
“five prime) to 3’
from top to
bottom while the
right strand is the
opposite.
Key Vocabulary
● Large segments of DNA code for a
chromosome specific protein. These segments
are known as genes.
● A cell does not have only one DNA
molecule. Instead, their various
DNA molecules are organized into
structures known as chromosomes.
A chromosome may contain many
genes.

gene
 S UM
MA R
IZ E
Stop & Think!
In your own words describe the
relationship between the following
terms: Type here.
● DNA
● Genes
● Chromosomes
● Proteins
 DNA
REPLICATION
Why DNA Replication? ● Every cell in your body
(except red blood cells!) has a
perfect copy of your DNA
● In order for you to grow, your
cells need to divide (or
reproduce asexually through
the process of mitosis). But
first, they must copy their
DNA during interphase
Step 1: DNA Helicase
Before DNA replication can
begin, an enzyme known as
DNA helicase separates the DNA Helicase
two strands by breaking the
hydrogen bonds between
nucleotides.
Step 2: DNA Polymerase Next, another enzyme called DNA
polymerase adds a new,
complementary nucleotide to each
nucleotide on the original DNA
strand.

DNA Polymerase, however, can

only work in one direction. It must
move from the 3’ end towards the 5’
end, so technically the strands
replicate in opposite directions.
 The leading strand has it easy. This
strand replicates in the same direction
that DNA helicase is moving. Lagging vs. Leading
Therefore, it can essentially follow
the unzipping enzyme and replicate Strand
continuously.

The lagging strand, on the other

hand, is a bit more awkward. It
creates new DNA in segments known
as Okazaki fragments, which are
then connected by an enzyme called
DNA ligase.
 Let’s copy this strand of DNA:
A C T A G G T C A T A C G T T

T G A T C C A G T A T G C A A

First, we’ll need DNA helicase to separate the two

strands.

A T A C G T T

A C T A G G T C

T G A T C C A G

T A T G C A A
 You are DNA polymerase!
You will act as DNA polymerase by adding a new, complementary
nucleotide to each nucleotide on the original strand.

A G G T C A T A C G T T

A C T

T G A

T C C A G T A T G C A A
 Check for understanding:
1. Look back, did you create two identical copies of the original DNA?

Type here.
2. How much of the original DNA strand was present in each of the new
strands?

Type here.
 Key Idea: DNA replication is
semiconservative

Since each original strand serves as a template

for the new nucleotides being added, half of
the original DNA remains in the new strand.
That means that the process of replication is
“semiconservative” or combines the old and
new strands.
 Let’s Review! Which of the following statements is
not consistent with the structure of
During DNA replication, a DNA strand DNA?
that has the bases CTAGGT produces
a strand with what bases? Type here.

Type here. A. DNA is composed of two strands made

up of nucleotides.
B. Strands are held together by
A. TCGAAC unbreakable chemical bonds
C. Strands are twisted into a helix.
B. GATCCA
D. Adenine pairs with thymine and
C. AGCTTG
cytosine pairs with guanine.
D. GAUCCA
Check Your Understanding
DNA is copied during a process called what? Type here.

A. replication
B. translation
C. transcription
D. transformation

Genes contain instruction for assembling what? Type here.

A. Purines
B. Nucleosomes
C. Proteins
D. Pyrimidines
Important Enzymes 1. Lays down a primer
template so that the
Match each enzyme with their polymerase knows
role in DNA replication: where to begin
2. “Unzips” the DNA
A. DNA helicase 3. Connects Okazaki
B. DNA polymerase fragments
C. DNA ligase 4. Adds complementary
D. RNA primase nucleotides to the
growing strand
 m is sing
ll in the m p lete
F i to co
o tid e s ta ry
l e en
nu c
c o m plem A. A
the o f D N
strand T
C
G
T
A
Review Based on what you know about
how nitrogen bases bond together,
Why is DNA replication important why is it unlikely that there would
for the growth of organisms? be a mistake in DNA replication?

Type here. Type here.

Key Terms 1. A segment of DNA that
codes for a specific protein
2. The strand that replicates
Match each word with its continuously following
DNA helicase
definition
3. The strand that replicates in
segments called Okazaki
A. Semiconservative fragments
B. Gene 4. A structure that contains
coiled DNA
C. Chromosome 5. DNA replication keeps 50%
D. Antiparallel of old DNA and creates 50%
E. Lagging strand new DNA
F. Leading strand 6. A DNA has two strands
which are arranged in
opposite directions
Alternative
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