ESSENTIAL CELL BIOLOGY CHAPTER
#6 KEY TERMS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Okazaki Fragment - ANSWER-Short length of DNA produced on the lagging strand
during DNA replication. Adjacent fragments are rapidly joined together by DNA ligase to
form a continuous DNA strand
Primase - ANSWER-An RNA polymerase that uses DNA as a template to produce an
RNA fragment that serves as a primer for DNA synthesis
Proofreading - ANSWER-The process by which DNA polymerase corrects its own errors
as it moves along DNA
Replication Fork - ANSWER-Y-shaped junction that forms at the site where DNA is
being replicated
Replication Origin - ANSWER-Nucleotide sequence at which DNA replication is initiated
Telomerase - ANSWER-Enzyme that elongates telomeres, synthesizing the repetitive
nucleotide sequences found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes
Telomere - ANSWER-Repetitive nucleotide sequence that caps the ends of linear
chromosomes (counteracts the tendency of the chromosome otherwise to shorten with
each round of replication)
Template - ANSWER-A molecular structure serves as a pattern for the production of
other molecules (for example, one strand of DNA directs the synthesis of the
complementary DNA strand)
Cancer - ANSWER-Disease caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell proliferation,
followed by invasion and colonization of body sites normally reserved for other cells
DNA Ligase - ANSWER-Enzyme that reseals nicks that occur in the backbone of a DNA
molecule (in the lab, can be used to join together two DNA fragments)
DNA Polymerase - ANSWER-Makes DNA
DNA Repair - ANSWER-Collective term used for the enzymatic processes that correct
deleterious changes affecting the continuity or sequence of a DNA molecule
DNA Replication - ANSWER-The process by which a copy of a DNA molecule is made
#6 KEY TERMS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Okazaki Fragment - ANSWER-Short length of DNA produced on the lagging strand
during DNA replication. Adjacent fragments are rapidly joined together by DNA ligase to
form a continuous DNA strand
Primase - ANSWER-An RNA polymerase that uses DNA as a template to produce an
RNA fragment that serves as a primer for DNA synthesis
Proofreading - ANSWER-The process by which DNA polymerase corrects its own errors
as it moves along DNA
Replication Fork - ANSWER-Y-shaped junction that forms at the site where DNA is
being replicated
Replication Origin - ANSWER-Nucleotide sequence at which DNA replication is initiated
Telomerase - ANSWER-Enzyme that elongates telomeres, synthesizing the repetitive
nucleotide sequences found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes
Telomere - ANSWER-Repetitive nucleotide sequence that caps the ends of linear
chromosomes (counteracts the tendency of the chromosome otherwise to shorten with
each round of replication)
Template - ANSWER-A molecular structure serves as a pattern for the production of
other molecules (for example, one strand of DNA directs the synthesis of the
complementary DNA strand)
Cancer - ANSWER-Disease caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell proliferation,
followed by invasion and colonization of body sites normally reserved for other cells
DNA Ligase - ANSWER-Enzyme that reseals nicks that occur in the backbone of a DNA
molecule (in the lab, can be used to join together two DNA fragments)
DNA Polymerase - ANSWER-Makes DNA
DNA Repair - ANSWER-Collective term used for the enzymatic processes that correct
deleterious changes affecting the continuity or sequence of a DNA molecule
DNA Replication - ANSWER-The process by which a copy of a DNA molecule is made
