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Chapter 11: Problem 20

Explain the proofreading function of DNA polymerase.

Short Answer

Expert verified
DNA polymerase has a proofreading function that ensures the accuracy of DNA replication. It does this by checking each new nucleotide to see if it correctly pairs with its complementary nucleotide on the template strand. If an error is detected, DNA polymerase removes the incorrect nucleotide and replaces it with the correct one, thereby maintaining the integrity of the DNA sequence.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Function of DNA Polymerase

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process of DNA replication. It has the ability to synthesize a new DNA strand from a DNA template. However, the focus of this exercise is on the proofreading function of DNA polymerase.
02

Learn About the Proofreading Capability of DNA Polymerase

The proofreading capability of DNA polymerase is its ability to check and correct any errors made during DNA replication. When DNA polymerase synthesizes a new DNA strand, it also checks the newly formed DNA strand for any errors. Specifically, it checks whether each new nucleotide correctly pair with its complementary nucleotide on the template strand. If an incorrect nucleotide has been incorporated, DNA polymerase possesses the ability to recognize this error.
03

Explain the Corrective Measure

Upon recognizing an error, DNA polymerase corrects the mistake by removing the incorrectly incorporated nucleotide. This is achieved through its exonuclease activity, which enables it to cleave the wrongly incorporated nucleotide. After the incorrect nucleotide has been removed, DNA polymerase resumes its replication activity and inserts the correct nucleotide at the same location.
04

Appreciate the Importance of Proofreading

The proofreading function of DNA polymerase ensures the accuracy of DNA replication, and thus, genetic information is faithfully transmitted from one generation to another. In absence of this proofreading ability, errors during DNA replication would have resulted in mutations, which can lead to serious consequences, such as genetic disorders and cancer.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What enzymatic features of DNA polymerase prevent it from replicating one of the DNA strands at the ends of linear chromosomes? Compared with DNA polymerase, how is telomerase different in its ability to synthesize a DNA strand? What does telomerase use as its template for the synthesis of a DNA strand? How does the use of this template result in a telomere sequence that is tandemly repetitive?

The compound known as nitrous acid is a reactive chemical that replaces amino groups \(\left(-\mathrm{NH}_{2}\right)\) with keto groups \((=\mathrm{O})\). When nitrous acid reacts with the bases in DNA, it can change cytosine to uracil and change adenine to hypoxanthine. A DNA double helix has the following sequence: TTGGATGCTGG AACCTACGACC A. What would be the sequence of this double helix immediately after reaction with nitrous acid? Let the letter \(\mathrm{H}\) represent hypoxanthine and \(U\) represent uracil. B. Let's suppose this DNA was treated with nitrous acid. The nitrous acid was then removed, and the DNA was replicated for two generations. What would be the sequences of the DNA products after the DNA had replicated twice? Your answer should contain the sequences of four double helices. Note: During DNA replication, uracil hydrogen bonds with adenine, and hypoxanthine hydrogen bonds with cytosine.

Describe the three important functions of DnaA protein.

Single-strand binding proteins keep the two parental strands of DNA separated from each other until DNA polymerase has an opportunity to replicate the strands. Suggest how single-strand binding proteins keep the strands separated and yet do not impede the ability of DNA polymerase to replicate the strands.

With regard to DNA replication, define the term bidirectional replication. Which of the following statements is not true? Explain why. A. A DNA strand can serve as a template strand on many occasions. B. Following semiconservative DNA replication, one strand is a newly made daughter strand and the other strand is a parental strand. C. A DNA double helix may contain two strands of DNA that were made at the same time. D. A DNA double helix obeys the AT/GC rule. E. A DNA double helix could contain one strand that is 10 generations older than its complementary strand.
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