In this article we will discuss about the fidelity of the replication of DNA. The DNA being the carrier of genetic information it is essential that this information remains correct. But the DNA can be damaged by the action of chemical or physical agents. The cell therefore possesses repair systems which can maintain the integrity of genetic information. It is [...]
The replication of the DNA can be schematically divided in three steps: initiation, elongation and termination. Step # 1. The Initiation Step: As seen above, no DNA polymerase can perform any de novo synthesis (contrary to RNA polymerases which can initiate by placing a complementary ribonucleoside-5'-triphosphate opposite to the DNA to be transcribed). The primer 3'OH which will serve as [...]
In this article we will discuss about the theta structure of DNA, explained with the help of suitable diagrams. It is a structure formed in replication of circular DNA. Since this structure resembles the Greek letter θ it is known as the theta structure. Semiconservative mode of DNA replication in bacterial chromosome begins at the origin of replication called ori [...]