Question

In prokaryotes, replication usually begins at a specific place on the chromosome called the: A. binary fission site. B. origin of replication. C. origin of mitosis. D. anchoring site. E. kinetochore.

Answer 1

B (origin of replication)

Step-by-step explanation:

All cells divide but before they do so their DNA needs to be replicated or duplicated in order to ensure that each new cell receives the correct number of chromosomes. The prokaryotic chromosome is a circular molecule that contains a particular nucleotide sequence called ORIGIN OF REPLICATION, where its replication starts. Certain proteins recognizes and binds to this site to signal the commencement of replication.

Once this site (origin of replication) has been recognized, an enzyme called HELICASE separates the double-stranded DNA at the origin of replication by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds that links each paired base. This separation forms a Y-SHAPED Replication fork, which is the point where another enzyme called, DNA polymerase III adds nucleotides to the growing DNA (new) strand, which is complementary to the template strand.