DNA Replication

AP Biology
Unit 3

DNA Structure
Double Helix (2 strands of DNA)
Complementary strands pair up (A & T, C
& G) hydrogen bonds
Strands are antiparallel (5 and 3 ends)

DNA Replication
When DNA is copied
during S Phase of
Interphase
Basic Concept = create
a new strand by
matching nucleotides
to an existing strand

DNA Replication
Replication is semi-conservative (one strand is
old, one strand new)

Origins of Replication
Where DNA Replication
starts
Differs between
organisms
Prokaryotes = 1 origin of
replication
Eukaryotes = many
different origins of
replication

General Process of DNA Replication

Step 1: Initiator Proteins bind to origins of
replication to begin replication
Attracts other enzymes involved in replication
process

General Process

Step 2:
DNA Helicase separates the DNA helix
Topoisomerase (Gyrase) prevents
overwinding of DNA
Single Stranded Binding Proteins
(SSBs) prevent double helix from
reforming temporarily

Question
What kind of bonds does Helicase break?
Hydrogen bonds

General Process
Step 3: Primase builds an
RNA primer at the starting
from the 5 end of the new
DNA strand
Uses the 3 end of existing
DNA strand
Why? Because the DNA
Polymerase III (main DNA
building enzyme) needs
something to build off of

Primase

3
5
RNA Primer

DNA Polymerase III

General Process
Step 4: DNA
Polymerase III builds
the new strand of
DNA in a 5 to 3
direction
What kinds bonds are
being formed to make
a new strand of DNA?
Covalent bonds

Question
What other enzyme builds similarly to DNA
Polymerase III?
RNA Polymerase (dont mix it up with
DNA Polymerase III!)

Problem
How can both strands of DNA be replicated
in a 5- 3 direction at the same time they
are antiparallel?
Answer: leading and lagging strands

Leading and Lagging Strands

Leading strand is
synthesized continuously
in the direction of
replication (goes in the
same direction as helicase)
Lagging strand is
synthesized in short
fragments the opposite
direction of replication
(opposite direction as
helicase)

Questions
How many primers does the leading strand
need?
Only 1 to start replication

How many primers does the lagging strand

need?
Many one for each Okazaki fragment

Lagging Strand

DNA Ligase
DNA Ligase seals Okazaki fragments
together
Forms covalent bonds between nucleotides to
create a continuous strand of DNA

Finishing DNA Replication

Problem #1: There are still RNA
nucleotides in the DNA (primers)
Solution = DNA Polymerase I cuts out the
RNA nucleotides and replaces them with
DNA

Finishing DNA Replication

Problem #2: Okazaki fragments and bases
replaced DNA Polymerase I are not
attached to rest of DNA
Solution = DNA Ligase seals everything
together

Putting It All Together

Label the diagram on Page 67 with the
following terms:
-

SSBs
Leading Strand
Helicase
DNA Polymerase III
DNA Polymerase I

- DNA Ligase
- Lagging Strand
- Primase
- Primer

Helicase

SSBs

DNA
Polymerase III
Leading Strand
DNA Ligase
DNA
Polymerase I

Primase DNA Pol

Primer III Lagging
Strand