4 (a) Describe semi-conservative DNA replication.

[9]

UNZIPPING OF PARENTAL STRAND

1. Helicase binds to origin of replication and disrupts hydrogen bonds between
complementary base pairs, causing parental strands to separate/unzip.
1
. Single-strand binding proteins keep the strands apart so that they can serve as templates
for the synthesis of new strands.
OR
22.Topoisomerase relieves overwinding strain ahead of replication forks by breaking,
swiveling and rejoining DNA strands.

ADDITION OF RNA PRIMER

3. RNA primer is added to each template/parental strand by the enzyme primase and
provides a free 3 OH end for DNA polymerase to start DNA synthesis of the complementary
daughter strand.

SYNTHESIS OF LEADING DAUGHTER STRAND

4. DNA polymerase uses the parental strand as a template to align the free
deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) in a sequence complementary to that of the
parental strand.
5. Adenine base pairs with Thymine and Guanine with Cytosine
6. DNA polymerase catalyses the formation of phosphodiester bonds between
7. A different DNA polymerase then excises the RNA primer and replaces it with DNA
nucleotides.
8. DNA ligase forms phosphodiester bonds between each of the DNA fragments, sealing the
nicks.

SYNTHESIS OF LAGGING STRAND

9. lagging strand is synthesised in fragments where each Okazaki fragment is initiated by an
RNA primer before the addition of DNA nucleotides
101. RNA primers are excised and replaced with DNA nucleotides and DNA ligase forms
phosphodiester bonds between each of the DNA fragments as with the leading strand

END OF REPLICATION
102. Each resultant helix consists of one parental strand and one daughter strand.
Hence this is called semi-conservative DNA replication.
Comments: Most students were able to describe the process of semi-conservative DNA
replication correctly. However, some students confused the use of appropriate keywords
e.g. RNA primer was confused with primase, phosphodiester bonds with hydrogen bonds
and DNA ligase and DNA polymerase. Spelling mistakes were also common e.g.
complimentary instead of complementary. The bases should be spelled out in full i.e.
Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine. A handful of students incorrectly described the
MeselsonStahl experiment instead of describing the process of semi-conservative DNA
replication.