1. Flowchart depicting semi-conservative DNA replication:
- Parent DNA molecule → Separates → Daughter DNA molecules (each with ½ new, ½ old strands)
2. Enzyme primarily responsible for DNA replication (adds nucleotides onto the growing new strand of DNA):
- DNA polymerase
3. Limitation of the enzyme above (from question #2):
- It can only add to the 3' end of the new DNA strand
4. Replication bubble (complete with replication forks), labeled with 5' and 3' ends:
- Two replication forks moving outward
- Leading strand synthesized continuously toward the fork (5’→3’ direction)
- Lagging strand synthesized discontinuously away from the fork (5’→3’ direction, forming Okazaki fragments)
- Both parental strands labeled with 5’ and 3’ ends at each fork
5. Another replication bubble with nucleotide base pairs:
a. Parent strand code (example):
- 5’-ATGCGA-3’ (top strand)
- 3’-TACGCT-5’ (bottom strand)
b. New complementary strands:
- Top new strand: 3’-TACGCT-5’ (complementary to top parent)
- Bottom new strand: 5’-ATGCGA-3’ (complementary to bottom parent)
c. Parent strands labeled “parent”
d. New strands labeled “new”
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of dna and genes worksheet answers.