A222 MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY

PROBLEM 6: COPYCAT

6TH PRESENTATION

Activity Owner:
Ho Phui San
Inputs by:
Ashley Chua, Hon Sook Mei
Approved by:
Dr. Terence Chong
Module Chair:
Lee Wan She

© Republic Polytechnic 2007

 In today’s problem…
 An analogy of a photocopier was used to
depict the duplication of cells.

 You were also asked what event has to occur

first before cells can be ‘photocopied’ and how
does this event take place.

Cell Copy
Machine

© Republic Polytechnic 2007

 What do you recognize?
 The process of ‘photocopying’ produces exact copies of
the cell being ‘photocopied’.

 A photocopier needs a ‘template’ in order to make

duplicates.

 A photocopier also needs certain raw materials (paper,

ink) before the photocopying process can occur.

© Republic Polytechnic 2007

 An approach
 When is it necessary to ‘photocopy’ a cell?

 How does a cell prepare for its duplication?

 What is a key step that occurs in a cell before

‘photocopying’ can occur?

 How is the ‘photocopying’ done in the cell?

© Republic Polytechnic 2007

 When is it necessary to ‘photocopy’ a cell?
‘Photocopy Replication
’
Cell Copy
Machine
=

Click to go to
Cell replication is
link.
necessary for
growth, and
replacement of
damaged cells.
© Republic Polytechnic 2007
 How does a cell prepare for its duplication?

Get fatter
The cell also need to prepare
itself by:
•Ensuring the presence of sufficient
cellular materials eg. cell matrix,
nucleotides, energy stores
•Ensuring the absence of cellular
damage
•Replicating its DNA before cell
replication
Bears need to prepare
themselves by accumulating fats
before hibernating.
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 What is a key step that occurs in a cell
before ‘photocopying’ can occur?

DNA Replication

The cell also need to prepare

itself by replicating its DNA
before cell division
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 What is the first thing that happens in a cell
before ‘photocopying’ can occur?
Semi-conservative replication

DNA replication:
 Original DNA strands will
be used as templates for
synthesis of new strands.
 Original strands will be
incorporated into the
newly synthesized double
helix.

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 How is the ‘photocopying’ done in the cell?
A Summary of DNA Replication – enzymes-assisted

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 How is the ‘photocopying’ done in the cell?

DNA replication

Separation of
replicated DNA

Division of cell

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 What have you learnt?
 Cell replication is required for the growth and
repair of a multicellular organism.
 Cells must prepare for replication in advance.
 One of these preparatory steps is the replication
of the cell’s DNA.
 DNA replication is a complex process involving
the assistance of many enzymes.
 Two identical daughter cells are produced at the
end of replication.
Cell
Copy
Machin
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