Chapter 12.2, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms semiconservative replication, DNA polymerase, and Okazaki fragments.

Explanation of Solution

Semiconservative replication: It is a description of DNA replication, in which one strand of the DNA act as a template strand for the formation of the other strand. One strand of parent DNA remains unchanged in the daughter strands; hence, it is called semiconservative.

DNA polymerase: It is an enzyme that brings in the new nucleotide and forms the new chain or new strand of DNA.

The DNA consists of a double helical structure with two antiparallel strands, one 5’-3’ and the other is 3’-5’. The DNA polymerase is an enzyme, which recruits the nucleotides during the process of DNA replication. A major problem is that the DNA polymerase can work in the direction of 3’-5’. Hence, the synthesis of the DNA occurs in a discontinuous manner on one strand. These small fragments are the Okazaki fragments. The Okazaki fragment is joined by the enzyme known as DNA ligase.