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Topic: Protein that synthesizes DNA  (Read 4732 times)

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Offline solomon_pup

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Protein that synthesizes DNA
« on: August 29, 2006, 01:24:20 PM »
I know this isn't exactly a chemistry question but I was wondering today and forgot, what is the name of the protein that breaks the bonds holding a double helix together and makes copies of it?  And could somebody tell me exactly what the difference between thymine and uracil is?

Offline sdekivit

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Re: Protein that synthesizes DNA
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2006, 02:25:53 PM »
what is the name of the protein that breaks the bonds holding a double helix

this is helicase

makes copies of it?

DNA polymerase (the holoenzyme synthesizes directly behind the replication fork). Then DNA polymerase I is needed to synthesize the Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

And could somebody tell me exactly what the difference between thymine and uracil is?

search for images of these molecules on google.

Next time post your question in the right subforum: chemical biology
« Last Edit: August 29, 2006, 03:18:34 PM by sdekivit »

Offline savoy7

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Re: Protein that synthesizes DNA
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2006, 12:39:18 AM »
Uracil is usually found in RNA and Thymine is found in DNA

Both are pyrimidines.

Thymine has a methyl group off of the 5th carbon and uracil doesn't.

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