RNA: The Molecule of Heredity Worksheet - Visual guide to RNA structure and function.

1. DNA replication is semi-conservative.
2. The enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix is helicase.
3. The enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands is DNA polymerase.
4. The enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand is DNA ligase.
5. The enzyme that removes RNA primers and replaces them with DNA is DNA polymerase I (in prokaryotes) or FEN1/Ribonuclease H/DNA polymerase δ (in eukaryotes).
6. The enzyme that adds RNA primers to start DNA synthesis is primase.
7. The template strand for DNA replication is the original DNA strand used as a guide for synthesizing a complementary strand.
8. The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction toward the replication fork.
9. The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously away from the replication fork as short segments called Okazaki fragments.
10. A replication fork is the Y-shaped region where the DNA double helix is being unwound and replicated.
11. The origin of replication is the specific sequence in the genome where DNA replication is initiated.
12. The function of single-strand binding proteins (SSBs) is to stabilize single-stranded DNA and prevent it from re-annealing or forming secondary structures during replication.
13. Topoisomerase relieves torsional stress ahead of the replication fork by cutting and rejoining DNA strands.
14. Proofreading activity of DNA polymerase corrects mismatched nucleotides during replication, reducing error rates.
15. Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from degradation and fusion.
16. Telomerase is an enzyme that adds telomeric repeats to chromosome ends, counteracting shortening during replication (active in germ cells and cancer cells, inactive in most somatic cells).
17. DNA replication occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle.
18. The primary goal of DNA replication is to produce two identical copies of the DNA molecule for cell division.
19. Replication errors can lead to mutations, which may cause genetic disorders, cancer, or contribute to evolution if not repaired.
20. The type of bond between nitrogenous bases in DNA is hydrogen bonds.