answersLogoWhite

0

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information. Chemically, DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-parallel. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA, in a process called transcription. Within cells, DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes. These chromosomes are duplicated before cells divide, in a process called DNA replication. Eukaryotic organisms (animals, plants, and fungi) store their DNA inside the cell nucleus, while in prokaryotes (bacteria and archae) it is found in the cell's cytoplasm. Within the chromosomes, chromatin proteins such as histones compact and organize DNA. These compact structures guide the interactions between DNA and other proteins, helping control which parts of the DNA are transcribed.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Biology

DNA replication occurs with or without the aid of enzymes?

DNA replication requires the aid of enzymes. Enzymes like DNA polymerase and helicase are crucial for unwinding the DNA double helix, synthesizing new DNA strands, and proofreading and repairing any errors that may occur during replication. Without these enzymes, DNA replication cannot proceed effectively and accurately.


Why DNA replication is popularly known as enzyme dependent?

DNA replication is aided by enzymes. Without the enzymes DNA will not be able to replicate.There are three main enzymes involved-Helicase - This enzyme separates the two parental DNADNA Polymerase - This enzyme exists in different forms and each one of them have a specific function in the replication of DNA.In short, it enhances each strands, adds base pairs and repairs any damage done to the strands during the replication process.Ligase - This enzyme puts the two stands together after the replication is complete.


What controls DNA replication?

DNA replication is controlled by specific enzymes, such as DNA polymerase, helicase, and primase, along with other regulatory proteins. The process is tightly regulated at different checkpoints to ensure accurate copying of the genetic material. Additionally, the initiation of DNA replication requires specific sequences called origins of replication.


Why are enzymes important to the DNA replication?

Enzymes are essential for DNA replication because they facilitate the unwinding of the DNA double helix, the synthesis of new complementary strands, and the proofreading and repair of any errors that occur during replication. They also help regulate the process to ensure accurate and efficient copying of the genetic material.


Inhibitors of DNA replication?

Inhibitors of DNA replication include drugs like Ciprofloxacin and Doxorubicin, which interfere with the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis. These inhibitors disrupt the process of replication by blocking DNA polymerase or topoisomerase enzymes, preventing proper DNA synthesis and cell division. This can be used in cancer therapy to inhibit cell proliferation.

Related Questions

What if your job among enzymes on the DNA replication team is to keep single DNA strands from getting tangled You're a complex of four protein subunits called an?

C. straightener


What catalyzes the linking together of nucleotide subunits?

Enzymes called DNA polymerases catalyze the linking together of nucleotide subunits in DNA replication. These enzymes attach new nucleotides to the growing DNA strand based on the complementary base pairing between the original template DNA strand and the new nucleotides.


What are oligomeric enzymes?

Oligomeric enzymes are enzymes composed of multiple subunits that come together to form an active enzyme complex. These subunits can be identical or different, and their arrangement is crucial for the enzyme's function. The oligomeric structure allows for increased stability, regulation, and efficiency of the enzyme.


DNA replication occurs with or without the aid of enzymes?

DNA replication requires the aid of enzymes. Enzymes like DNA polymerase and helicase are crucial for unwinding the DNA double helix, synthesizing new DNA strands, and proofreading and repairing any errors that may occur during replication. Without these enzymes, DNA replication cannot proceed effectively and accurately.


Complex organic molecules that work with enzymes to facilitate the enzymes?

co-enzymes


Why DNA replication is popularly known as enzyme dependent?

DNA replication is aided by enzymes. Without the enzymes DNA will not be able to replicate.There are three main enzymes involved-Helicase - This enzyme separates the two parental DNADNA Polymerase - This enzyme exists in different forms and each one of them have a specific function in the replication of DNA.In short, it enhances each strands, adds base pairs and repairs any damage done to the strands during the replication process.Ligase - This enzyme puts the two stands together after the replication is complete.


What happenes first at each origin of replication?

Enzymes unwind DNA!


What controls DNA replication?

DNA replication is controlled by specific enzymes, such as DNA polymerase, helicase, and primase, along with other regulatory proteins. The process is tightly regulated at different checkpoints to ensure accurate copying of the genetic material. Additionally, the initiation of DNA replication requires specific sequences called origins of replication.


What subunits make up poly-carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are made up of glucose subunits . In complex carbohydrates long polymer chains of glucose subunits form the higher structure, they can be "nibbled" from either end by digestion enzymes. The breakdown into glucose is needed for metabolism. Sugar units are called saccharides in chemistry. Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides made from glucose. The difference in starch and cellulose is the manner in which the glucose units are bonded. Humans do not have the enzymes to digest cellulose. Simple sugars consits of small clusters of glucose, fructose and glactose subunits, amongst others that are all structually similar. Lactose found in milk is a carbohydrate sugar made from a glucose and galactose subunit.


What job do the enzymes helicase play?

Helicase unwinds the DNA during replication.


Why are enzymes important to the DNA replication?

Enzymes are essential for DNA replication because they facilitate the unwinding of the DNA double helix, the synthesis of new complementary strands, and the proofreading and repair of any errors that occur during replication. They also help regulate the process to ensure accurate and efficient copying of the genetic material.


Inhibitors of DNA replication?

Inhibitors of DNA replication include drugs like Ciprofloxacin and Doxorubicin, which interfere with the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis. These inhibitors disrupt the process of replication by blocking DNA polymerase or topoisomerase enzymes, preventing proper DNA synthesis and cell division. This can be used in cancer therapy to inhibit cell proliferation.