Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Steps of DNA Replication

GOB Chemistry

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Steps of DNA Replication

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3:39 minutes

Problem 29

Textbook Question

What is the function of the enzyme helicase in DNA replication?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that DNA replication is the process by which a DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules, and enzymes play critical roles in this process.

Recognize that helicase is one of the key enzymes involved in DNA replication, and its primary function is to unwind the double-stranded DNA.

Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs (adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine) in the DNA double helix, separating the two strands.

This unwinding creates a replication fork, which is the Y-shaped structure where the DNA strands are separated and replication occurs.

By unwinding the DNA, helicase provides single-stranded DNA templates that other enzymes, such as DNA polymerase, use to synthesize new complementary strands.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

DNA Replication

DNA replication is the biological process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring that each new cell receives an exact copy of the genetic material. This process involves several key enzymes and proteins that work together to unwind the DNA double helix, synthesize new strands, and proofread the newly formed DNA to maintain genetic fidelity.

Helicase

Helicase is an essential enzyme in DNA replication that unwinds the double-stranded DNA helix, separating the two strands to allow access for other enzymes involved in the replication process. By breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide bases, helicase creates two single-stranded templates that can be copied into new DNA strands.

Enzyme Function

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. In the context of DNA replication, helicase's function is crucial as it facilitates the unwinding of DNA, which is a necessary step for the replication machinery to synthesize new DNA strands efficiently. Without helicase, the replication process would be significantly slower and less efficient.

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Related Practice

Multiple Choice

Below is a close-up of the portion of a DNA replication bubble.

Helicase is shown as a yellow triangle currently moving from left to right. Based on what you know about the creation of new DNA during replication, which is the lagging strand and why?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference between the leading and the lagging strands of DNA during DNA replication?

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Multiple Choice

Below is a close-up of the portion of a DNA replication bubble.

Helicase is shown as a yellow triangle currently moving from left to right. Based on what you know about the creation of new DNA during replication, which is the lagging strand and why?

Textbook Question

Suppose that 22% of the nucleotides of a DNA molecule are deoxyadenosine and during replication the relative amounts of available deoxynucleoside triphosphates are 22% dATP, 22% dCTP, 28% dGTP, and 28% dTTP. What deoxynucleoside triphosphate is limiting to the replication? Explain.

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Textbook Question

What process ensures that the replication of DNA produces identical copies?

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Textbook Question

How many daughter strands are formed during the replication of DNA?

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Textbook Question

Copy the following simplified drawing of a DNA replication fork: