What direction does DNA polymerase go in?
DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the deoxyribose (3′) ended strand in a 5′ to 3′ direction. Lagging strand is synthesised in fragments. Nucleotides cannot be added to the phosphate (5′) end because DNA polymerase can only add DNA nucleotides in a 5′ to 3′ direction.
What powers the action of helicase at the replication fork where it opens up the double helix?
Essential Cell Biology: DNA Replication, Repair, and RecombinationQuestionAnswer18) What powers the action of helicase at the replication fork, where it opens up the double helix?ATP hydrolysis41
How does DNA ligase join Okazaki fragments?
DNA ligase is an enzyme which can connect two strands of DNA together by forming a bond between the phosphate group of one strand and the deoxyribose group on another. It is used in cells to join together the Okazaki fragments which are formed on the lagging strand during DNA replication.
What happen if DNA ligase is absent?
Without DNA ligase activity, Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand would not be joined together; leading strand synthesis would be largely unaffected. Okazaki fragments are found on the strand that replicates discontinuously.
What is the role of DNA ligase?
DNA ligases play an essential role in maintaining genomic integrity by joining breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of DNA that occur during replication and recombination, and as a consequence of DNA damage and its repair.