Week 01 HW: Week 2 prep

Polymerase

Maintaining sequence integrity of a newly copied DNA strand relative to its template during DNA replication is critical for the accurate transfer of genetic material from one generation of cells to the next. The fidelity of DNA replication, which is the accuracy with which the DNA sequence is copied, is maintained by the action of DNA polymerases, enzymes responsible for adding nucleotides to the new DNA strand. Fidelity comparisons between polymerases can be expressed in absolute terms, often by the number of errors per 1,000 or 10,000 nucleotides.

The human haploid genome is about 3 × 10^9 base pairs long.

To prevent errors, DNA polymerases have evolved mechanisms that allow them to detect and correct mistakes before they become permanent mutations in the DNA. The geometry of the polymerase active site determines selection of the correct incoming nucleotide and aligns the catalytic groups to ensure efficient incorporation. If an incorrect nucleotide does bind in the active site, incorporation is slowed due to the sub-optimal architecture of the active site complex. This lag time increases the opportunity for the incorrect nucleotide to dissociate before polymerase progression, thereby allowing the process to start again, with a correct nucleoside triphosphate.

Oligonucleotides

Solid-phase synthesis is widely used in peptide synthesis, oligonucleotide synthesis, oligosaccharide synthesis and combinatorial chemistry. Solid-phase chemical synthesis was invented in the 1960s by Bruce Merrifield, and was of such importance that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1984.

Amino acids

I have not watched jurassic park so cant write on the lysine contigency.

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