The Process and Significance of DNA replication ANSWERS

1. Describe the structural features of DNA.

DNA is a double helix twisted ladder with sugar-phosphate backbone with
complimentary nitrogen bases bound together by hydrogen bonds.

2. Describe the DNA replication process.

i. Enzymes cause the DNA to unwind and to unzip (break the hydrogen
bonds holding the complimentary base pairs together)
ii. This process forms two single strands of DNA. Each of these existing DNA
strands act as a template for the new strands of DNA.
iii. Free nucleotides present in the nucleus arranged themselves to bind to
their complimentary base pair along the unzipped DNA strands.
iv. The enzyme DNA polymerase helps bind the free nucleotides to the
existing DNA strand.
v. The end result is two exact copies of the original DNA molecule.

3. Explain the importance of DNA replication.

- It allows for large amounts of coded information to be passed on from one
generation to the next, allowing continuity of the species. It is necessary
for the DNA to make an exact copy of itself, to ensure that the genetic code
of a cell is passed on to each new daughter cell that arises from it. (The
exact copy ensures that the new cells have the same, distinctive message
that the original cell had).
- Sometimes the code may change (mutations), creating new variations that
may be beneficial for the survival of the organism in a changing
environment OR may lead to undesirable mutations that could be harmful
to the organism.

(Extra: DNA replication is important for the survival of organisms - it is

required for mitosis, meiosis and polypeptide synthesis - and could lead to the
possible evolution of a species).