What is the function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?
Question
What is the function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?
Solution
DNA polymerase has several important functions during DNA replication:
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Adding New Nucleotides: The primary function of DNA polymerase is to add new nucleotides to the growing DNA strand. It does this by forming a bond between the incoming nucleotide's phosphate group and the 3' end of the DNA strand.
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Proofreading: DNA polymerase also has a proofreading function. It checks each new nucleotide against the template strand to ensure that it is the correct match. If a mistake is made, DNA polymerase can remove the incorrect nucleotide and replace it with the correct one.
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Initiating DNA Synthesis: In some organisms, DNA polymerase can also initiate DNA synthesis by adding a primer to the template strand. However, in many organisms, this function is performed by a separate enzyme called primase.
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Elongating the DNA Strand: DNA polymerase helps in elongating the DNA strand by adding nucleotides to the 3' end of the primer or pre-existing DNA strand.
In summary, DNA polymerase plays a crucial role in DNA replication by adding new nucleotides, proofreading and correcting mistakes, and in some cases, initiating DNA synthesis.
Similar Questions
What are the properties of DNA polymerase?
DNA replication is a highly coordinated process that involves a number of different enzymes. It is essential that the process is done correctly; otherwise, mutations will arise.DNA Replication by Madprime (CC0)Which of the following statements correctly pairs the enzyme involved in DNA replication with its function?Elimination ToolSelect one answerATopoisomerase: places down primers.BRNA polymerase: creates the new strands of DNA.CHelicase: breaks bonds between nucleotides.DPrimase: releases tension in the sugar-phosphate backbone.
DNA polymerization is one of the most conserved mechanisms of genome replication. Synthesis of a complete DNA strand requires a template, primers, a polymerase enzyme, and sufficient deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs). The DNA polymerase enzyme binds consecutive base pairs on the template strand and extends the double helix by adding dNTPs to the primer. The amino acid residues in the active site of DNA polymerase form hydrogen bonds with Watson-Crick donors and acceptors on incoming DNA nucleotides to facilitate base pairing.The formation of the DNA double helix creates opposing changes in entropy and enthalpy. Favorable bonding interactions via hydrogen bonds during Watson-Crick base pairing results in negative enthalpy, and restricted rotation and flexibility of the DNA backbone generates negative entropy. Scientists hypothesize that hydrogen bonding between bases not only stabilizes the double helix but is also crucial for selective and efficient replication.Analogs that are similar in size and shape to naturally occurring bases can be used to determine the influence of hydrogen bonding on base pair selectivity. To mimic the structure of deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP), researchers synthesized dNTP derivatives of difluorotoluene (dFTP). dFTP is a nonpolar analog of dTTP that lacks Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding. Klenow fragment polymerase (KF), which has 3′-5′ but not 5′-3′ exonuclease activity, was incubated with a mixture of DNA template, primers, and dNTPs, including dFTP. The efficiency of dFTP and natural dTTP nucleotide incorporation into a growing primer strand by KF is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1 Template-specific selection of dFTP and dTTP by the KF enzymeAdapted from Moran S, Ren RX, Kool ET. A thymidine triphosphate shape analog lacking Watson-Crick pairing ability is replicated with high sequence selectivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997;94(20):10506-11. Question 44The Klenow fragment used in the experiment would be able to perform which of the following repair processes?A.Correction of mismatched nucleotides in the middle of a completed strandB.Replacement of nucleotides at the 3′ end of the growing strandC.Excision of thymine dimers at the 5′ end of the growing strandD.Removal of damaged bases from the middle of the template strand
What is the main function of DNA helicase in DNA replication?Fusing DNA fragments togetherAdding complementary DNA bases to the newly forming DNA strandProofreading the DNA moleculeUnzipping the DNA double helix
The polymerase chain reaction is a method of A) performing gel electrophoresis. B) DNA amplification. C) making cDNA. D) making an RNA probe
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