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Chapter 11: Problem 21

What is a processive enzyme? Explain why processivity is an important feature of DNA polymerase.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A processive enzyme, like DNA polymerase, is one that can perform rounds of catalysis without releasing its substrate. The processivity in DNA polymerase enables it to copy long strands of DNA accurately and quickly, which is crucial for the speed and fidelity of DNA replication.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of a Processive Enzyme

A 'processive' enzyme is one that can perform many rounds of catalysis without releasing its substrate. In the example given, DNA polymerase is able to add many nucleotides to a growing DNA chain without dissociating from the DNA template. It's like a train on a track, not leaving its path until it reaches its destination.
02

Understanding DNA polymerase

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that helps in creating new DNA molecules by copying the necessary information from existing DNA strands. It can hold onto the DNA template and add several nucleotides before detaching. This ability is what makes DNA polymerase processive.
03

Relevance of Processivity in DNA Polymerase

Processivity in DNA Polymerase is a critical feature as it allows the enzyme to quickly and accurately copy long pieces of DNA. It ensures that replication can occur swiftly and correctly. If DNA polymerase were not processive, it could dissociate after the addition of each nucleotide, drastically slowing down the speed of DNA replication and potentially leading to more errors.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

List and briefly describe the three types of functionally important sequences within bacterial origins of replication.

Discuss the similarities and differences in the synthesis of DNA in the lagging and leading strands. What is the advantage of a primosome and a replisome as opposed to having all replication enzymes functioning independently of each other?

As discussed in Chapter 18, some viruses contain RNA as their genetic material. Certain RNA viruses can exist as a provirus in which the viral genetic material has been inserted into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell. For this to happen, the viral RNA must be copied into a strand of DNA. An enzyme called reverse transcriptase, encoded by the viral genome, copies the viral RNA into a complementary strand of DNA. The strand of DNA is then used as a template to make a double-stranded DNA molecule. This doublestranded DNA molecule is then inserted into the chromosomal DNA, where it may exist as a provirus for a long period of time. A. How is the function of reverse transcriptase similar to the function of telomerase? B. Unlike DNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase does not have a proofreading function. How might this affect the proliferation of the virus?

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.

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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