dna polymerase

Thân thiện

A scientist observes DNA polymerase replicating a DNA strand in a test tube.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The enzyme responsible for DNA replication: DNA polymerase is a biological catalyst that synthesizes new strands of DNA by adding nucleotides complementary to an existing DNA template strand. It is essential for copying genetic material during cell division.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • DNA polymerase is crucial for accurate genetic inheritance.
  • Scientists studied the structure of the DNA polymerase enzyme.
  • A mutation in the gene encoding DNA polymerase can lead to replication errors.

Advanced Usage

• "DNA polymerase activity": Refers to the catalytic function of the enzyme in adding nucleotides.

  • The experiment measured the DNA polymerase activity in the sample.

• "DNA polymerase proofreading": Describes the enzyme's ability to correct its own mistakes during replication.

  • The high fidelity of replication is due to DNA polymerase proofreading.

Variants and Related Words

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): A laboratory technique that uses a heat-stable DNA polymerase to amplify specific DNA sequences.

  • PCR relies on a special type of DNA polymerase.

• RNA polymerase: A related enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

  • Transcription is carried out by RNA polymerase.

Synonyms

• Replicase: A term sometimes used for enzymes involved in replication, though more common for viral RNA replication.
• DNA synthetase: An older or less specific term for an enzyme that synthesizes DNA.

Related Phrases

• "DNA polymerase III": The primary enzyme complex responsible for DNA replication in bacteria.

  • In E. coli, DNA polymerase III is the main replicative enzyme.

• "Taq polymerase": A heat-stable DNA polymerase isolated from a thermophilic bacterium, widely used in PCR.

  • Taq polymerase is essential for the polymerase chain reaction.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the enzyme responsible for DNA replication

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dna polymerase