RNA PRIMER Meaning and
Definition
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RNA primer is a short segment of RNA that is synthesized by an enzyme called primase during DNA replication. It is an essential component in the initiation of DNA replication because it provides a starting point for DNA polymerase to synthesize the complementary DNA strand.
During DNA replication, the double-stranded DNA molecule is unwound by helicase, exposing the template strands. Primase then recognizes a specific DNA sequence called the origin of replication and attaches to it. Using the DNA template, primase synthesizes a short RNA sequence complementary to the template strand. This RNA sequence is the RNA primer.
The RNA primer serves as a primer for DNA synthesis since it provides a 3'-hydroxyl group for DNA polymerase to attach and begin adding nucleotides. DNA polymerase then elongates the DNA strand by adding complementary nucleotides based on the template strand. Once the DNA strand has been synthesized, the RNA primer is degraded by enzymes called exonucleases and replaced with DNA nucleotides by DNA polymerase, filling in the gap.
RNA primers are crucial for DNA replication in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They ensure the accurate initiation of DNA synthesis and allow for the formation of continuous DNA strands. Without RNA primers, DNA replication would not be possible.
Common Misspellings for RNA PRIMER
- ena primer
- dna primer
- fna primer
- tna primer
- 5na primer
- 4na primer
- rba primer
- rma primer
- rja primer
- rha primer
- rnz primer
- rns primer
- rnw primer
- rnq primer
- rna orimer
- rna lrimer
- rna 0rimer
- rna peimer
- rna pdimer
- rna pfimer
Etymology of RNA PRIMER
The etymology of the term "RNA primer" is derived from the combination of two components:
1. RNA: The term "RNA" stands for Ribonucleic Acid. It was first coined in 1950 by scientists Alexander Rich and David Davies. The term reflects the molecule's structure, which comprises a ribose sugar and nucleic acids.
2. Primer: The term "primer" stems from the Latin word "primarius", meaning "first". In the context of molecular biology, a primer refers to a short strand of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis during certain enzymatic reactions, such as DNA replication or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer acts as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.
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