Question

Draw a labelled schematic sketch of replication fork of DNA. Explain the role of enzymes involved in DNA replication.

Answer 1

A replication fork is a structure that is formed during DNA replication within the long helical, double-stranded DNA. Helicases create it by breaking the hydrogen bonds and holding the two DNA strands together in the helix. The resulting structure has two branchings known as prongs. Each prong is made up of a single strand of DNA.

Complete step by step answer:

Enzyme	Function in DNA replication
DNA helicase	It is also called helix destabilizing enzyme. Helicase is responsible for the separation of the two strands of DNA at the replication fork behind topoisomerase.
DNA polymerase	This enzyme is responsible for the catalysis of the addition of nucleotides to DNA in 5′ to 3′ direction during the process of DNA replication. It also performs proof-reading and does error correction. There are many types of DNA Polymerase which perform different functions in different types of cells.
DNA clamp	It is a protein which prevents the elongation of DNA polymerases to prevent it from dissociating from the parent DNA strand.
Single-strand DNA-binding protein	ssDNA binds to the prongs and prevents the DNA double helix from re-annealing after the unwinding with the help of DNA helicase. It maintains the strand separation and facilitates the synthesis of the nascent strand.
Topoisomerase	It relaxes the stress in the DNA due to its super-coiled nature.
DNA gyrase	It relieves the strain of unwinding by DNA helicase. This is majorly a specific type of topoisomerase
DNA ligase	It joins Okazaki Fragments of the lagging strand and re-anneals the semi-conservative strands.
Primase	It provides a beginning point of RNA or DNA for the DNA polymerase to start the synthesis of a new DNA strand.
Telomerase	It adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and lengthens the telomeric DNA.

Note: The DNA polymerase can synthesize in one direction only. It works by extending the 3' end of the pre-existing nucleotide chain. Therefore, DNA polymerase moves in 3' - 5' direction along the template strand, and the daughter strand is formed in 5' - 3' direction.