Molecular Biology Exam 1 – Nucleic Acids, DNA Replication & Key Experiments |Latest Updated 2026 with A+ Graded Rationales

Molecular Biology Exam 1 – Nucleic Acids, DNA Replication & Key Experiments |Latest Updated 2026 with A+ Graded Rationales What is a nucleotide? Base + sugar + phosphate What is a nucleoside? Base + sugar Monomer of nucleic acids Nucleotide Purines Adenine and Guanine Pyrimidines Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil DNA sugar Deoxyribose RNA sugar Ribose Direction of DNA synthesis 5′ to 3′ Bond linking nucleotides Phosphodiester bond Enzyme that synthesizes DNA DNA polymerase DNA replication model Semiconservative Experiment proving semiconservative replication Meselson and Stahl Enzyme that unwinds DNA Helicase Enzyme that makes RNA primer Primase Main replication enzyme DNA polymerase III Primer removal enzyme DNA polymerase I Enzyme that seals DNA nicks DNA ligase Lagging strand synthesis Discontinuous Okazaki fragments Short DNA fragments on lagging strand Replisome All replication proteins Restriction enzymes function Cut DNA at specific sequences Type II restriction enzymes Lab-use enzymes Sticky ends Single-stranded overhangs