2007-02-05 15:49:26 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
because our bodies have yet to develop an enzyme which can add multiple nucleotides at one time.
DNA Polymerase III, the enzyme which replicates DNA, can only add nucleotides one by one to the 3' end of a growing strand. That's why we have to add nucleotides one by one.
But if you think about it, would there be any benefit in adding two molecules at a time? it would be done quicker maybe, but since you have numerous replication bubbles, it's quick enough already. Not to mention the chance of randoming having a protein mutate into an enzyme which could hydrolyze two nucleoside triphosphates at one time, stick it together, and then attach it to the end of a DNA strand.
And yes, to the guy above, there is a missing link to the DNA strands. Every time our DNA is replicated, some of our DNA at both ends of the molecule are chopped off, lost forever. I'm not lying. This is one of the theories of why people age; as we grow older our cells contain less and less DNA. We have things called telomeres to prevent this from chopping away any important gene though.
2007-02-05 15:54:06 · answer #1 · answered by kz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That polymerase is linking those nucleotides. It will require lot of enzymes and energy to add whole bunch out of time. Might be quicker, but too expensive in terms of energy and probably too crowded too, impeding the replication possibly. And DNA duplex splits only at the sight that is being replicated, so you couldn't add too big of a chunk anyways.
2007-02-05 15:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lagging strand does not have loose 3' ends of the DNA for 5' to 3' replication to proceed. The DNA polymerase demands a loose 3' end for DNA replication. RNA polymerase does not. subsequently, RNA polymerase creates RNA primers complimentary to the sequence contained interior the lagging strand so as that the DNA polymerase might have its loose 3' end and DNA replication of the lagging strand can proceed.
2016-12-17 03:27:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so there's no missing link in the DNA count....
2007-02-05 15:52:45 · answer #4 · answered by Rmprrmbouncer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, i gotta go tie my shoes,.....................
OVER THERE!
2007-02-05 15:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋