Bke2 Biochemistry Exercises

Group exercise: DNA replication & cloning

One of your classmates is having a hard time understanding how DNA is replicated. Explain the replication process to him/her, making sure to include an explanation of the concept of leading and lagging strands.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a very commonly used molecular method.
a) Explain (with figure) how PCR works.
b) Think of a specific situation where PCR could be used.
Plasmids and restriction enzymes are, as most available molecular tools, naturally occurring in bacteria.
a) What are they used for in bacteria?
b) In what way can you use them in the lab?

Reading material: Horton Chapter 19, 20 and 23 (Stryer chapter 4, 5, 6 & 31; Alberts chapters 6, 7 & 8)

Lectures:
DNA structure, replication and repair
Cloning of DNA

Links:
Suggested answers