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Bio 102 Practice Problems
Chromosomes and DNA Replication
Multiple choice: Unless otherwise directed, circle the one best answer:
- Which one of the following enzymes is NOT a key player in the process of DNA replication?
A. Topoisomerase B. Helicase C. Primase D. DNA polymerase E. RNA polymerase F. Ligase
- Gyrase (or topoisomerase):
A. Separates the DNA strands at the origin B. Keeps the single-stranded DNA regions from coming back together C. Re-coils the DNA into a helix after replication is complete D. Breaks and rejoins the DNA backbone to remove tension produced by the helicase E. Breaks hydrogen bonds between DNA and the RNA primers
- The enzyme that removes RNA primers during DNA replication is:
A. RNA polymerase I B. RNA polymerase II C. RNA polymerase III D. DNA polymerase I E. DNA polymerase III
- All of the following are enzymes that participate in DNA replication EXCEPT:
A. RNA primer B. Helicase C. DNA polymerase III D. DNA polymerase I E. Ligase
Short answer (show your work or thinking to get partial credit):
- Below is a replication fork (one side of an origin): a double-stranded DNA partially opened up to provide single-stranded regions where replication can occur. Draw and label the following: RNA primers (label 3′ and 5′ ends), leading-strand DNA polymerase and new DNA (label 3′ and 5′ ends and show direction of synthesis with an arrow), 2 lagging-strand DNA polymerases and new DNA (label ends and show direction of synthesis).
- Below is a drawing of a replication fork. (1) Label the 3′ and 5′ ends of each nucleic acid strand shown. (2) Label the leading and lagging strands. (3) Two enzymes are shown in the drawing: one represented by a rounded rectangle and one by a white circle. Place the names of these enzymes in the boxes provided.
- The diagram below shows a DNA molecule in the process of replication. Arrows show the direction of new DNA synthesis.
a. Some of the enzymes and features are labeled, but some labels are incomplete or have been omitted. Fill in the boxes with the appropriate labels. b. What enzyme that is not shown in the picture is necessary in order for the helicases to keep moving forward and unwinding the DNA? topoisomerase
- A replication bubble is shown below. Assume that DNA replication is occurring in this area, but RNA primers have not yet been removed. Draw and label the RNA primers and the new DNA strands that have been synthesized. Use arrows to show the direction of synthesis for the new DNA strands. Label the leading and lagging strands.
primer new DNA (leading)
new DNA (lagging)
new DNA (leading)
new DNA (lagging)
- Below is the structure of a dideoxy nucleotide, which as you can see resembles a normal DNA nucleotide except that it has no −OH group on its 3′ carbon.
a. Is this dideoxy nucleotide a purine or a pyrimidine? How do you know? (2 points) Purine (two-ring structure of base) b. Assuming that it would base-pair correctly, could DNA polymerase add this nucleotide to a DNA strand that it was synthesizing during DNA replication? Explain. (2 points) Yes. It has three phosphates on its 5′ end, which is all that DNA polymerase needs to attach it to the 3′ end of another nucleotide. c. If DNA polymerase did add this nucleotide to a new DNA strand, could it then add another nucleotide onto the chain? Explain. (2 points) No. DNA polymerase can only attach a new nucleotide to a 3′ OH on an existing chain, and since there’s no 3′ OH here, nothing can be added to it. This would stop synthesis.
N P O O
O
OH
P
O O OH
HO OH
O
O P N
N NH
NH 2
O
- The chart below lists several enzymes important in DNA replication. Put the numbers in the blanks to indicate the order in which these enzymes work during replication. If an enzyme is not involved in replication, put a zero in its blank.
(^3) Main DNA polymerase
(^4) Gap-filling DNA polymerase
(^2) Primase
(^1) Helicase
(^0) RNA polymerase
(^5) Ligase
Fill in the blanks:
Several different enzymes are required in the complex process of DNA replication. The functions of some of these enzymes are described below; fill in each blank with the name of the appropriate enzyme.
- DNA ligase is required to make phosphodiester bonds between two adjacent Okazaki fragments.
- Topoisomerase prevents the “knotted rope” problem by breaking and rejoining DNA strands to remove tension generated by unwinding of the helix.
- Helicase moves outward from the origin and breaks hydrogen bonds between DNA nucleotides.
- DNA polymerase requires both a template and an appropriately placed 3′ end to synthesize a nucleic acid.
- Primase is the first enzyme to synthesize a nucleic acid at a replication fork.
