Does it split the double helix or attach the free floating nucleotides to make the single strand?
or does it do something else?
2007-09-21 22:04:36 · 3 answers · asked by Hemanshi B 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
It picks up a nucleotide triphospate and puts it in the third carbon atom of the deoxyribose sugar of the terminal newly formed strand and while doing so it removes the two terminal phosphates from the triphosphate so that the attached molecule is the nucleotide monophosphate. This nucleotide is complementary to the base which right across it.
2007-09-25 02:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ishan26 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The DNA polymerase reaction splits a DNA double helix into its two strands, then matches each up with its conjugate bases (each of the 4 bases is paired with a conjugate base in a DNA molecule, so you've got a structure like a double spiral staircase). Then it does the same again, so you can start off with 1 DNA double helix and turn it into 2, 4, 8, 16... without limit. There's a machine you can buy which performs this sequence of actions automatically so, if you're an archaeologist or a forensic scientist you can start off with a very small DNA sample and end up with as much as you like, and hand out samples to your colleagues.
2007-09-21 22:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, the -ase means it is an enzyme. What does polymer sound like to you?
A polymer is made from many....
OK, it attaches free-floating nucleotides.
2007-09-21 22:11:09 · answer #3 · answered by BotanyDave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋