how does the dna molecule produce a copy of itself? course hero

by Callie Hand 3 min read

DNA Replication How DNA Makes Copies of Itself. Before a cell divides, its DNA is replicated (duplicated.) Because the two strands of a DNA molecule have complementary base pairs, the nucleotide sequence of each strand automatically supplies the information needed to produce its partner.

Full Answer

How does the DNA molecule produce a copy of itself?

How is DNA replicated? Replication occurs in three major steps: the opening of the double helix and separation of the DNA strands, the priming of the template strand, and the assembly of the new DNA segment. During separation, the two strands of the DNA double helix uncoil at a specific location called the origin.

How do you build a DNA?

DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These building blocks are made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar group and one of four types of nitrogen bases. To form a strand of DNA, nucleotides are linked into chains, with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating.

How long does it take to make one copy of a DNA molecule?

Molecular machines copy DNA Each time one of your cells divides, it must first copy the genetic information contained within its nucleus. Copying the genetic information in one cell using this activity would take more than 95 years*, yet molecular machines in your cells accomplish this feat in about 6 to 8 hours.

Why is DNA replicated?

DNA replication is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules. Replication is an essential process because, whenever a cell divides, the two new daughter cells must contain the same genetic information, or DNA, as the parent cell.

What materials do you need to make a DNA model?

Suggested Materials: dry macaroni, string, pipe cleaners, wire coat hangers, beads, white glue, cardboard, styrofoam peanuts, toothpicks. Materials to avoid: anything that will mold, mildew, rot, melt, etc. such as marshmallows or gumdrops.

What is DNA composed of?

The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases, and more than 99 percent of those bases are the same in all people.

Where Is DNA Found?

Most of the DNA is placed within the nucleus and is called nuclear DNA. However, a small portion of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria and is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA.

What do you need to make a DNA model?

Online science resource Kids Love Kits suggests the simplest solution to making a DNA model at home: Styrofoam balls, toothpicks, and some markers. Choose six colors: one for pentose sugar, one for phosphate, one for adenine, one for thymine, one for guanine, and one for cytosine.

Answer

An enzyme called DNA Polymerase copies each strand using the base-pairing rule after the DNA strands are separated.

New questions in Biology

What is the significance of the fact that chromosomes condense before they are moved.

Where does DNA replication start?

It carries out a process called, "DNA replication." This process starts in the cell nucleus.

What would happen if DNA was not replicated?

If DNA never replicated, living things would not be able to live very long, because DNA is the blueprint for life!

Why is DNA replication considered semi-conservative?

DNA replication is called "semi-conservative" because it creates a new strand from an old strand acting as a template. Imagine tracing a new image by using an old image as a model; this is the same idea as DNA replication.

What keeps DNA safe?

The nucleus keeps the DNA safe, and DNA is too large to ever leave the nucleus. DNA replication starts with the two strands "unzipping" from one another. This separation is aided by an enzyme, a special protein, called, "Helicase."

Which enzyme bonds with guanine?

You learned in the previous lesson that cytosine bonds with guanine, and adenine only bonds with thymine! There is another enzyme responsible for making sure the bonding pattern is correct: DNA polymerase.

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