Textbook Question
What would be the effects on DNA replication if mutation of DNA pol III caused it to lose each of the following activities?
3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity
Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution64
- Ch. 2 - Transmission Genetics144
- Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity81
- Ch. 4 - Gene Interaction87
- Ch. 5 - Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes103
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages73
- Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication71
- Ch. 8 - Molecular Biology of Transcription and RNA Processing79
- Ch. 9 - The Molecular Biology of Translation110
- Ch. 10 - Eukaryotic Chromosome Abnormalities and Molecular Organization100
- Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination86
- Ch. 12 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophage90
- Ch. 13 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes38
- Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics72
- Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications69
- Ch. 16 - Genomics: Genetics from a Whole-Genome Perspective49
- Ch. 17 - Organelle Inheritance and the Evolution of Organelle Genomes27
- Ch. 18 - Developmental Genetics43
- Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits66
- Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels105
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 33a
What would be the effects on DNA replication if mutation of DNA pol III caused it to lose each of the following activities?
5' to 3' polymerase activity
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of DNA polymerase III in DNA replication: DNA polymerase III is the primary enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction during replication.
Recognize the importance of 5' to 3' polymerase activity: This activity allows DNA pol III to add nucleotides to the growing DNA strand by forming phosphodiester bonds between the 3' hydroxyl group of the last nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group of the incoming nucleotide.
Consider the consequences of losing 5' to 3' polymerase activity: Without this activity, DNA pol III would be unable to synthesize new DNA strands, effectively halting the elongation process during replication.
Analyze the broader impact on DNA replication: The inability to synthesize new DNA strands would prevent the replication fork from progressing, leading to incomplete replication of the genome and potentially causing cell cycle arrest or cell death.
Conclude the significance of this mutation: The loss of 5' to 3' polymerase activity in DNA pol III would be a critical defect, as it would disrupt the fundamental process of DNA replication, which is essential for cell division and genetic inheritance.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
DNA Polymerase III Function
DNA Polymerase III is the primary enzyme responsible for DNA synthesis during replication in prokaryotes. It adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand in a 5' to 3' direction, ensuring accurate and efficient replication of the genetic material. Understanding its role is crucial for analyzing the consequences of any mutations affecting its activity.
Recommended video:
Guided course
08:26
Functional Genomics
5' to 3' Directionality
DNA replication occurs in a specific direction, with new nucleotides being added to the 3' end of the growing strand, which means the template strand is read in the 3' to 5' direction. This directionality is essential for the proper synthesis of the leading and lagging strands, and any loss of 5' to 3' polymerase activity would disrupt this process, leading to incomplete or erroneous DNA strands.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:02Directionality
Consequences of Mutations
Mutations in essential enzymes like DNA Polymerase III can lead to severe consequences for cellular function. If the 5' to 3' polymerase activity is lost, DNA replication would be halted, resulting in cell cycle arrest, genomic instability, and potentially cell death. Understanding these consequences helps in grasping the importance of enzyme activities in maintaining genetic integrity.
Recommended video:
Guided course
10:48Mutations and Phenotypes
Related Practice
Textbook Question
A PCR reaction begins with one double-stranded segment of DNA. How many double-stranded copies of DNA are present after the completion of 10 amplification cycles? After 20 cycles? After 30 cycles?
Textbook Question
You are participating in a study group preparing for an upcoming genetics exam, and one member of the group proposes that each of you draw the structure of two DNA nucleotides joined in a single strand. The figures are drawn and exchanged for correction. You receive the accompanying diagram to correct: Identify and correct at least five things that are wrong in the depiction of each nucleotide.
Textbook Question
A sufficient amount of a small DNA fragment is available for dideoxy sequencing. The fragment to be sequenced contains 20 nucleotides following the site of primer binding: 5'-ATCGCTCGACAGTGACTAGC-[primer site]-3' Dideoxy sequencing is carried out, and the products of the four sequencing reactions are separated by gel electrophoresis. Draw the bands you expect will appear on the gel from each of the sequencing reactions.
4
views
Textbook Question
Using an illustration style and labeling, draw the electrophoresis gel containing dideoxy sequencing fragments for the DNA template strand 3'-AGACGATAGCAT-5'.
3
views
Textbook Question
DNA replication in early Drosophila embryos occurs about every 5 minutes. The Drosophila genome contains approximately 1.8×10⁸ base pairs. Eukaryotic DNA polymerases synthesize DNA at a rate of approximately 40 nucleotides per second. Approximately how many origins of replication are required for this rate of replication?
1
views