Assignment Questions

1. Each new DNA molecule consists of two strands. The nucleotide sequence contains the
information found in DNA. The nucleotides connect the two strands through hydrogen bonds.
Each nucleotide has a unique complimentary nucleotide whereas each strand contains all the
information required to synthesize a new DNA molecule. The double stranded structure also
maes the molecule more stable.
!. "irstly# the process of DNA replication begins with the separation of the two strands of the
double heli$ using enzymes. The enzyme in charge of this is called a helicase which unwinds
the heli$. The point where the double heli$ is opened up and the DNA is copied is called a
replication for. %nce the strands are separated# the DNA polymerase enzyme copies each
strand using the base pairing rule and two molecules are created. Each one has one new and one
old DNA strand called semiconser&ati&e.
'. The DNA needs to unzip because the DNA(binding proteins must be able to bind properly to
the DNA in order to proceed with replication. The proteins bind to specific sequences. )f those
sequences cannot be recognized# then the proteins do not bind.
*. Enzymes are biological catalysts or assistants. Enzymes consist of &arious types of proteins that
wor to dri&e the chemical reaction required for a specific action or nutrient. Enzymes can
either launch a reaction or speed it up. The chemicals that are transformed with the help of
enzymes are called substrates. )n the absence of enzymes# these chemicals are called reactants.
+. Enzymes split the DNA molecule into two rails and then transport the corresponding nitrogen
bases to each rail. )n addition# to separate the DNA and to help unwind the molecule. The
enzyme helicase breas hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases and the chains
separate.

,. Each new strand is synthesised in the +- to '- direction because DNA polymerase can only add a
new nucleotide onto the '- end of an e$isting strand. This is because the '- end has a hydro$yl
group .(%/0 which can form a phosphodiester bond with the +- end of the ne$t nucleotide on the
chain. +- to '- synthesis is useful for proofreading# because if a mistae occurs in the new
strand# the most recently added nucleotide can be remo&ed to regenerate the '- end on the
strand. )f synthesis occurred in the opposite direction# remo&al of the last base would lea&e a
bare +- end causing DNA synthesis to come to a halt.
1. Sense strand2 3trand of DNA running from +- to '- complementing the anti(sense strand# and
transcribed into m4NA
Anti-sense strand2 3trand of DNA running from '- to +- complementing the sense strand# and is
not transcribed into m4NA.
Anti-parallel2 the opposite orientations of the two strands of a DNA double heli$5 the +- end of
one strand aligns with the '- end of the other strand.


6. The production of the complementary strand is called semiconser&ati&e replication. )t guides its
own replication by unra&eling itself. Each strand acts as a template and the complementary
deo$yribonucleotides are added on to the parent strands to form two new DNA molecules from
a single parent molecule. Each new molecule has one parent strand and one new strand.
7. DNA replication occurs during the synthesis stage during the cell cycle.
18. a0 DNA proofreading corrects errors during replication. A DNA polymerase enzyme identifies
and e$cises mismatched bases# lea&ing the end free to accept the correct nucleotide instead#
thereby restoring the correct complementary base sequence.

18. b0 9roofreading occurs after DNA replication in order to a&oid producing genes that would
encode for incorrect proteins. There are se&eral mechanisms by which DNA proofreads its
sequence5 mostly specific proteins and such that search for errors.