DNA Replication in Prokaryotes Quiz

PDF page 571: As was stated previously, DNA replication is more complex than simply unzipping the double helix and making new complementary strands. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence of nucleotides on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up or unzips. The enzyme helicase opens up the DNA at the point where hydrogen bonds connect the strands, resulting in the formation of a Y-shaped replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins keep the fork open. The enzyme primase synthesizes RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. DNA polymerase recognizes the 3'-OH end as its landing site; thus, polymerase “reads” the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and builds the complementary DNA polymer in the 5' to 3' direction. One strand—called the leading strand—is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork (the direction in which helicase is separating the two strands), with polymerase adding new nucleotides one-by-one. However,

PDF page 571: As was stated previously, DNA replication is more complex than simply unzipping the double helix and making new complementary strands. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence of nucleotides on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up or unzips. The enzyme helicase opens up the DNA at the point where hydrogen bonds connect the strands, resulting in the formation of a Y-shaped replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins keep the fork open. The enzyme primase synthesizes RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. DNA polymerase recognizes the 3'-OH end as its landing site; thus, polymerase “reads” the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and builds the complementary DNA polymer in the 5' to 3' direction. One strand—called the leading strand—is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork (the direction in which helicase is separating the two strands), with polymerase adding new nucleotides one-by-one. However,

PDF page 574: Enzyme/protein Specific Function Exonuclease activity removes RNA primer and replaces with newly DNA pol I synthesized DNA DNA pol II Repair function DNA pol III Main enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction Opens the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous Helicase bases Seals the gaps between the Okazaki fragments to create one continuous DNA Ligase strand Primase Synthesizes RNA primers needed to start replication Sliding Clamp Helps to hold the DNA polymerase in place when nucleotides are being added Helps relieve the stress on DNA when unwinding by causing breaks and then Topoisomerase resealing the DNA Single-strand binding Binds to single-stranded DNA to avoid DNA rewinding back. proteins (SSB)

PDF page 571: As was stated previously, DNA replication is more complex than simply unzipping the double helix and making new complementary strands. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence of nucleotides on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up or unzips. The enzyme helicase opens up the DNA at the point where hydrogen bonds connect the strands, resulting in the formation of a Y-shaped replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins keep the fork open. The enzyme primase synthesizes RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. DNA polymerase recognizes the 3'-OH end as its landing site; thus, polymerase “reads” the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and builds the complementary DNA polymer in the 5' to 3' direction. One strand—called the leading strand—is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork (the direction in which helicase is separating the two strands), with polymerase adding new nucleotides one-by-one. However,

PDF page 571: As was stated previously, DNA replication is more complex than simply unzipping the double helix and making new complementary strands. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence of nucleotides on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up or unzips. The enzyme helicase opens up the DNA at the point where hydrogen bonds connect the strands, resulting in the formation of a Y-shaped replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins keep the fork open. The enzyme primase synthesizes RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. DNA polymerase recognizes the 3'-OH end as its landing site; thus, polymerase “reads” the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and builds the complementary DNA polymer in the 5' to 3' direction. One strand—called the leading strand—is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork (the direction in which helicase is separating the two strands), with polymerase adding new nucleotides one-by-one. However,

PDF page 572: replication of the other strand—called the lagging strand—occurs in a direction away from the replication fork, in short stretches of DNA known as Okazaki fragments. (Think of the activities on the lagging strand as analogous to trying to walk on a moving sidewalk that is moving in the opposite direction.) The RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides, and ligase seals the DNA, creating phosphodiester bonds between the 3'-OH of one end and the 5'-phosphate of the other strand. The replicated DNA molecules now consist of one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand.

PDF page 571: As was stated previously, DNA replication is more complex than simply unzipping the double helix and making new complementary strands. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence of nucleotides on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up or unzips. The enzyme helicase opens up the DNA at the point where hydrogen bonds connect the strands, resulting in the formation of a Y-shaped replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins keep the fork open. The enzyme primase synthesizes RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. DNA polymerase recognizes the 3'-OH end as its landing site; thus, polymerase “reads” the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and builds the complementary DNA polymer in the 5' to 3' direction. One strand—called the leading strand—is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork (the direction in which helicase is separating the two strands), with polymerase adding new nucleotides one-by-one. However,

PDF page 574: Enzyme/protein Specific Function Exonuclease activity removes RNA primer and replaces with newly DNA pol I synthesized DNA DNA pol II Repair function DNA pol III Main enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction Opens the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous Helicase bases Seals the gaps between the Okazaki fragments to create one continuous DNA Ligase strand Primase Synthesizes RNA primers needed to start replication Sliding Clamp Helps to hold the DNA polymerase in place when nucleotides are being added Helps relieve the stress on DNA when unwinding by causing breaks and then Topoisomerase resealing the DNA Single-strand binding Binds to single-stranded DNA to avoid DNA rewinding back. proteins (SSB)

PDF page 572: replication of the other strand—called the lagging strand—occurs in a direction away from the replication fork, in short stretches of DNA known as Okazaki fragments. (Think of the activities on the lagging strand as analogous to trying to walk on a moving sidewalk that is moving in the opposite direction.) The RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides, and ligase seals the DNA, creating phosphodiester bonds between the 3'-OH of one end and the 5'-phosphate of the other strand. The replicated DNA molecules now consist of one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand.

PDF page 574: Enzyme/protein Specific Function Exonuclease activity removes RNA primer and replaces with newly DNA pol I synthesized DNA DNA pol II Repair function DNA pol III Main enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction Opens the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous Helicase bases Seals the gaps between the Okazaki fragments to create one continuous DNA Ligase strand Primase Synthesizes RNA primers needed to start replication Sliding Clamp Helps to hold the DNA polymerase in place when nucleotides are being added Helps relieve the stress on DNA when unwinding by causing breaks and then Topoisomerase resealing the DNA Single-strand binding Binds to single-stranded DNA to avoid DNA rewinding back. proteins (SSB)

PDF page 572: replication of the other strand—called the lagging strand—occurs in a direction away from the replication fork, in short stretches of DNA known as Okazaki fragments. (Think of the activities on the lagging strand as analogous to trying to walk on a moving sidewalk that is moving in the opposite direction.) The RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides, and ligase seals the DNA, creating phosphodiester bonds between the 3'-OH of one end and the 5'-phosphate of the other strand. The replicated DNA molecules now consist of one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand.

PDF page 572: The Science Practice Challenge Questions contain additional test questions for this section that will help you prepare for the AP exam. These questions address the following standards: [APLO 4.3][APLO 1.18][APLO 1.21] DNA replication has been extremely well studied in prokaryotes primarily because of the small size of the genome and the mutants that are available. E. coli has 4.6 million base pairs in a single circular chromosome and all of it gets replicated in approximately 42 minutes, starting from a single origin of replication and proceeding around the circle in both directions. This means that approximately 1000 nucleotides are added per second. The process is quite rapid and occurs without many mistakes. DNA replication employs a large number of proteins and enzymes, each of which plays a critical role during the process. One of the key players is the enzyme DNA polymerase, also known as DNA pol, which adds nucleotides one by one to the growing DNA chain that are complementary to the template strand. The addition of nucleotides requires energy; this energy is obtained from the nucleotides that have three phosphates attached to them, similar to ATP which has three phosphate groups attached. When the bond between the phosphates is broken, the energy released is used to form the phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the growing chain. In prokaryotes, three main types of polymerases are known: DNA pol I, DNA pol II, and DNA pol III. It is now known that DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis; DNA pol I and DNA pol II are primarily required for repair. How does the replication machinery know where to begin? It turns out that there are specific nucleotide sequences called origins of replication where replication begins. In E. coli, which has a single origin of replication on its one chromosome (as do most prokaryotes), it is approximately 245 base pairs long and is rich in AT sequences. The origin of replication is recognized by certain proteins that bind to this site. An enzyme called helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs. ATP hydrolysis is required for this process. As the DNA opens up, Y-shaped structures called replication forks are formed. Two replication forks are formed at the origin of replication and these get extended bi- directionally as replication proceeds. Single-strand binding proteins coat the single strands of DNA near the replication fork to prevent the single-stranded DNA from winding back into a double helix. DNA polymerase is able to add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction (a new DNA strand can be only extended in this direction). It also requires a free 3'-OH group to which it can add nucleotides by forming a phosphodiester bond between the 3'-OH end and the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide. This essentially means that it cannot add nucleotides if a free 3'-OH group is not available. Then how does it add the first nucleotide? The problem is solved with the help of a primer that provides the free 3'-OH end. Another enzyme, RNA primase, synthesizes an RNA primer that is about five to ten nucleotides long and complementary to the DNA. Because this sequence primes the DNA synthesis, it is appropriately called the primer. DNA polymerase can now extend this RNA primer, adding nucleotides one by one that are complementary to the template strand (Figure 14.14).

PDF page 572: The Science Practice Challenge Questions contain additional test questions for this section that will help you prepare for the AP exam. These questions address the following standards: [APLO 4.3][APLO 1.18][APLO 1.21] DNA replication has been extremely well studied in prokaryotes primarily because of the small size of the genome and the mutants that are available. E. coli has 4.6 million base pairs in a single circular chromosome and all of it gets replicated in approximately 42 minutes, starting from a single origin of replication and proceeding around the circle in both directions. This means that approximately 1000 nucleotides are added per second. The process is quite rapid and occurs without many mistakes. DNA replication employs a large number of proteins and enzymes, each of which plays a critical role during the process. One of the key players is the enzyme DNA polymerase, also known as DNA pol, which adds nucleotides one by one to the growing DNA chain that are complementary to the template strand. The addition of nucleotides requires energy; this energy is obtained from the nucleotides that have three phosphates attached to them, similar to ATP which has three phosphate groups attached. When the bond between the phosphates is broken, the energy released is used to form the phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the growing chain. In prokaryotes, three main types of polymerases are known: DNA pol I, DNA pol II, and DNA pol III. It is now known that DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis; DNA pol I and DNA pol II are primarily required for repair. How does the replication machinery know where to begin? It turns out that there are specific nucleotide sequences called origins of replication where replication begins. In E. coli, which has a single origin of replication on its one chromosome (as do most prokaryotes), it is approximately 245 base pairs long and is rich in AT sequences. The origin of replication is recognized by certain proteins that bind to this site. An enzyme called helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs. ATP hydrolysis is required for this process. As the DNA opens up, Y-shaped structures called replication forks are formed. Two replication forks are formed at the origin of replication and these get extended bi- directionally as replication proceeds. Single-strand binding proteins coat the single strands of DNA near the replication fork to prevent the single-stranded DNA from winding back into a double helix. DNA polymerase is able to add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction (a new DNA strand can be only extended in this direction). It also requires a free 3'-OH group to which it can add nucleotides by forming a phosphodiester bond between the 3'-OH end and the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide. This essentially means that it cannot add nucleotides if a free 3'-OH group is not available. Then how does it add the first nucleotide? The problem is solved with the help of a primer that provides the free 3'-OH end. Another enzyme, RNA primase, synthesizes an RNA primer that is about five to ten nucleotides long and complementary to the DNA. Because this sequence primes the DNA synthesis, it is appropriately called the primer. DNA polymerase can now extend this RNA primer, adding nucleotides one by one that are complementary to the template strand (Figure 14.14).

PDF page 572: The Science Practice Challenge Questions contain additional test questions for this section that will help you prepare for the AP exam. These questions address the following standards: [APLO 4.3][APLO 1.18][APLO 1.21] DNA replication has been extremely well studied in prokaryotes primarily because of the small size of the genome and the mutants that are available. E. coli has 4.6 million base pairs in a single circular chromosome and all of it gets replicated in approximately 42 minutes, starting from a single origin of replication and proceeding around the circle in both directions. This means that approximately 1000 nucleotides are added per second. The process is quite rapid and occurs without many mistakes. DNA replication employs a large number of proteins and enzymes, each of which plays a critical role during the process. One of the key players is the enzyme DNA polymerase, also known as DNA pol, which adds nucleotides one by one to the growing DNA chain that are complementary to the template strand. The addition of nucleotides requires energy; this energy is obtained from the nucleotides that have three phosphates attached to them, similar to ATP which has three phosphate groups attached. When the bond between the phosphates is broken, the energy released is used to form the phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the growing chain. In prokaryotes, three main types of polymerases are known: DNA pol I, DNA pol II, and DNA pol III. It is now known that DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis; DNA pol I and DNA pol II are primarily required for repair. How does the replication machinery know where to begin? It turns out that there are specific nucleotide sequences called origins of replication where replication begins. In E. coli, which has a single origin of replication on its one chromosome (as do most prokaryotes), it is approximately 245 base pairs long and is rich in AT sequences. The origin of replication is recognized by certain proteins that bind to this site. An enzyme called helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs. ATP hydrolysis is required for this process. As the DNA opens up, Y-shaped structures called replication forks are formed. Two replication forks are formed at the origin of replication and these get extended bi- directionally as replication proceeds. Single-strand binding proteins coat the single strands of DNA near the replication fork to prevent the single-stranded DNA from winding back into a double helix. DNA polymerase is able to add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction (a new DNA strand can be only extended in this direction). It also requires a free 3'-OH group to which it can add nucleotides by forming a phosphodiester bond between the 3'-OH end and the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide. This essentially means that it cannot add nucleotides if a free 3'-OH group is not available. Then how does it add the first nucleotide? The problem is solved with the help of a primer that provides the free 3'-OH end. Another enzyme, RNA primase, synthesizes an RNA primer that is about five to ten nucleotides long and complementary to the DNA. Because this sequence primes the DNA synthesis, it is appropriately called the primer. DNA polymerase can now extend this RNA primer, adding nucleotides one by one that are complementary to the template strand (Figure 14.14).

PDF page 574: Enzyme/protein Specific Function Exonuclease activity removes RNA primer and replaces with newly DNA pol I synthesized DNA DNA pol II Repair function DNA pol III Main enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5'-3' direction Opens the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous Helicase bases Seals the gaps between the Okazaki fragments to create one continuous DNA Ligase strand Primase Synthesizes RNA primers needed to start replication Sliding Clamp Helps to hold the DNA polymerase in place when nucleotides are being added Helps relieve the stress on DNA when unwinding by causing breaks and then Topoisomerase resealing the DNA Single-strand binding Binds to single-stranded DNA to avoid DNA rewinding back. proteins (SSB)

PDF page 572: The Science Practice Challenge Questions contain additional test questions for this section that will help you prepare for the AP exam. These questions address the following standards: [APLO 4.3][APLO 1.18][APLO 1.21] DNA replication has been extremely well studied in prokaryotes primarily because of the small size of the genome and the mutants that are available. E. coli has 4.6 million base pairs in a single circular chromosome and all of it gets replicated in approximately 42 minutes, starting from a single origin of replication and proceeding around the circle in both directions. This means that approximately 1000 nucleotides are added per second. The process is quite rapid and occurs without many mistakes. DNA replication employs a large number of proteins and enzymes, each of which plays a critical role during the process. One of the key players is the enzyme DNA polymerase, also known as DNA pol, which adds nucleotides one by one to the growing DNA chain that are complementary to the template strand. The addition of nucleotides requires energy; this energy is obtained from the nucleotides that have three phosphates attached to them, similar to ATP which has three phosphate groups attached. When the bond between the phosphates is broken, the energy released is used to form the phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the growing chain. In prokaryotes, three main types of polymerases are known: DNA pol I, DNA pol II, and DNA pol III. It is now known that DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis; DNA pol I and DNA pol II are primarily required for repair. How does the replication machinery know where to begin? It turns out that there are specific nucleotide sequences called origins of replication where replication begins. In E. coli, which has a single origin of replication on its one chromosome (as do most prokaryotes), it is approximately 245 base pairs long and is rich in AT sequences. The origin of replication is recognized by certain proteins that bind to this site. An enzyme called helicase unwinds the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs. ATP hydrolysis is required for this process. As the DNA opens up, Y-shaped structures called replication forks are formed. Two replication forks are formed at the origin of replication and these get extended bi- directionally as replication proceeds. Single-strand binding proteins coat the single strands of DNA near the replication fork to prevent the single-stranded DNA from winding back into a double helix. DNA polymerase is able to add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction (a new DNA strand can be only extended in this direction). It also requires a free 3'-OH group to which it can add nucleotides by forming a phosphodiester bond between the 3'-OH end and the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide. This essentially means that it cannot add nucleotides if a free 3'-OH group is not available. Then how does it add the first nucleotide? The problem is solved with the help of a primer that provides the free 3'-OH end. Another enzyme, RNA primase, synthesizes an RNA primer that is about five to ten nucleotides long and complementary to the DNA. Because this sequence primes the DNA synthesis, it is appropriately called the primer. DNA polymerase can now extend this RNA primer, adding nucleotides one by one that are complementary to the template strand (Figure 14.14).