DNA Replication vs Polymerase: Comparative Analysis

The polymerase is used up for getting the process of replication work being an enzyme and also fasting up the process.

The very basic difference for DNA replication vs polymerase is its definition being that replication is the process where the DNA gets itself replicated at cell division and while polymerase is an enzyme helping in getting the chains of the nucleic acids synthesized.

The structure of DNA is of a double helix with two stands coming up coiled together to make a character of double helix. There are nucleotides present on each stands. Nucleotides are referred to have a group of phosphate, a deoxyribose sugar and a nucleobase.

The pairing of the base is done following the complimentary base pairing system. Adenines pairs up with guanine and are the purine bases. The rest of the two being cytosine pairs with thymine in DNA and are the pyrimidine base. They help in forming the backbone for the DNA.

DNA Replication vs Polymerase

DNA replication is the process while polymerase is an enzyme having its use in this process fasting up the reaction.

Just like the rest of the polymerization process in biology, DNA replication begins in to catalyze the one of three enzymes and have its steps coordinated. Polymerase helps in adding of the nucleotide to the DNA stand.

The polymerases are of the family enzymes that are used for all the forms of replication in DNA. It is in general approach the one that can’t have the initiation of the new stands to be synthesized but also can help in extending the existing RNA or DNA strands to be paired inside the template strand.

The ultimate known difference for DNA replication vs polymerase between them stands for what they are replication being a process and the polymerase being an enzyme with having its presence in both RNA and DNA. Each of the DNA strand have nucleotide that are four in its types. The four types of them are adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine or uracil.

For the process of the cell to get it divided is it needs to first replicate itself. It needs to be ended after its strands with no stop in middle proceeding with absolute completion. One the process of replication is done; there is no repetition of this process within the similar cell cycle.

A DNA primase, which is a specialized DNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is capable of synthesizing a short RNA strand starting from a single-stranded DNA as a template. This RNA oligonucleotide is then transferred to the active site of the DNA polymerase, functioning as a primer for subsequent incorporation of the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate also termed to be dNTPs.

DNA Replication

The process of allowing the genetic material called to be DNA to have itself copied during cell division is called DNA replication.

The copying of DNA is done to make two molecules of DNA that can be identical. Replication is the process that is vital for while there is a division of cell the new daughter cells being two in number shall have the equal genetic data from parent.

The very motif of the process is to get the exact information of genes passed on to the next generation. This process is based on the knowledge that each of the DNA stand shall help in acting as a template for getting itself duplicated. This process of DNA replication showcases definite points called origins. Because for polymerase can add a nucleotide only onto a preexisting 3′-OH group, it needs a primer to which it can add the first nucleotide.

Origins are the specific areas that help in getting the double helical stricture of DNA unwound. There is little section of the RNA also called as ribonucleic acid which is called a primer. Primer is the area that points to the start for synthesizing DNA of any new stands. It is needed for replication as then it shall help polymerase in adding up the parts of DNA.

After the use of primer is done an enzyme called polymerase starts its work by helping the DNA to replicate itself by paring of the bases to the parent stands. After the process of synthesis is done, the RNA primers are then replaced along with the DNA. DNA replication is a short process by needs quote vitals to work.

If there is a presence of any gap seen between the new fragments of DNA that is synthesized then they shall be sealed up together with the enzymes. The process is quite vital and thus need no mistakes or any sort of mutation. To get it checked, the cell reads the new DNA stands. After it, the cell divides and identical copy is made.

The result of DNA replication is two DNA molecules consisting of one new and one old chain of nucleotides. This is why DNA replication is described as semi-conservative, half of the chain is part of the original DNA molecule, half is brand new. DNA replication requires other enzymes in addition to DNA polymerase, including DNA primase, DNA helicase, DNA ligase, and topoisomerase.

The process of replication includes-

• Unzipping of the helical structure of the DNA molecule
• This is done by enzyme called helicase that helps in getting the hydrogen bonds broke down by holding the base together.
• The separating of the stand ceased a shape of Y called replication fork and acts as a template.
• One of the strands is direction to 3’ to 5’ called the leading stands and the other is away called the lagging stands. Thus both the stands are differently replicated.
• Then a short part called primer comes to plat helping the lagging part bind acting as the staring part.
• DNA polymerase the binds the leading and works with it adding the complementary stands.
• The process of DNA replication is continuous.

Polymerase

The researches take the help of the power that this enzyme holds to copy the molecules in tubes with polymerase chain reaction.

The basic role of this enzyme is to efficiently and by all accuracy help in replicating the genome so that it shall ensure the originality of the genetic data and it’s faithful to transfer via generation. It is useful during the process of DNA replication.

It is useful in gathering the molecules of both DNA and RNA by tallying the template stands and using the method of base paring interaction or also by using the half ladder replication process of RNA. It also can take part in polymerase chain reaction. Taq DNA polymerase is the most common enzyme used for PCR amplification. This enzyme is extremely heat resistant with a half-life of 40 minutes at 95°C. 

This is an enzyme that can be either is independent or dependent of template. The classification of it can be based on its structure or functions. As mentioned in the model of base paring by Watson and Crick, they helps in catalyzing the synthesis of both RNA and DNA after paring via complement base to the parent template. On April 16, 1956, about 60 years ago, Arthur Kornberg and his team of biochemists were the first to isolate and later characterize the enzyme which is now known as DNA polymerase I.

It is not just useful in getting the replication of DNA done but also helps in repair and in some times also helps in getting the cell differentiated. It helps in getting the synthesis of polydeoxyribonucleotides from the mono-deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates in DNA.

DNA polymerase is an essential component for PCR as to its key role in synthesizing new DNA strands. Consequently, understanding the characteristics of this enzyme and the subsequent development of advanced DNA polymerases is critical for adapting the power of PCR for a wide range of biological applications

Also Read:

• Is prokaryotic dna a double helix
• Chromatin organization impact on packaging of dna
• Dna transcription diagram
• Sequence of nitrogenous bases in dna
• Antiparallel dna strands 2
• Uracil in dna replication
• Dna transcription enzyme
• Do prokaryotes have dna replication