Chargaff’s Rules – First and Second Rule

What is Chargaff’s Rules? Definition of Chargaff’s Rules Chargaff’s Rules are two fundamental principles discovered by biochemist Erwin Chargaff, which dictate the base pairing in DNA. The first rule states that in DNA, the amount of adenine (A) is equal to thymine (T), and the amount of cytosine (C) is equal to guanine (G). The … Read more

Karyotype and Idiogram – Definition, Procedure, Steps, Applications

What is Karyotyping? Definition of Karyotyping Karyotyping is a laboratory technique used to visualize and analyze the number, size, and shape of chromosomes in an individual’s cells, aiding in the detection of genetic abnormalities and chromosomal disorders. What is Idiogram? An idiogram is a diagrammatic representation of a karyotype, which showcases all the morphological features … Read more

Codon Chart and Codon Table

What is Codon? What is a Codon Chart? A Codon Chart, often referred to as a codon table, is an essential scientific reference tool that provides a systematic representation of the relationship between sequences of three nucleotides, known as codons, and the amino acids they encode. This chart serves as a key to decode the … Read more

Deletion Mutation – Definition, Causes, Mechanism, Examples

What is Deletion Mutation? Definition of Deletion Mutation A deletion mutation is a genetic anomaly in which a segment of a chromosome or DNA sequence is omitted during DNA replication, leading to the absence of specific nucleotides or entire chromosomal segments. This can result in altered gene function or expression. Causes of Deletion Mutation Deletion … Read more

DNA polymerase IV – Definition, Structure, Mechanism, Functions

What is DNA polymerase IV? Definition of DNA polymerase IV DNA polymerase IV is a prokaryotic enzyme encoded by the dinB gene, involved in mutagenesis and DNA repair processes, especially during the SOS response to DNA damage. Unlike many polymerases, it lacks proofreading activity, making it error-prone, but it plays a crucial role in translesion … Read more

DNA polymerase III (holoenzyme)

What is DNA polymerase III (holoenzyme)? Definition of DNA polymerase III (holoenzyme) DNA polymerase III holoenzyme is the primary enzyme complex in prokaryotes responsible for DNA replication, possessing both synthesis and proofreading capabilities to ensure accurate replication of the genome. Components of DNA polymerase III (holoenzyme) The DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, a central player in … Read more

DNA polymerase II – Definition, Structure, Mechanism, Functions

What is DNA polymerase II? Definition of DNA polymerase II DNA polymerase II (DNA Pol II) is a prokaryotic DNA-dependent DNA polymerase that primarily functions as a backup enzyme in DNA replication and repair processes. It belongs to the B family of DNA polymerases and possesses DNA synthesis and proofreading activities. Structure of DNA polymerase … Read more

DNA polymerase I – Definition, Structure, Mechanism, Functions

What is DNA polymerase I? Definition of DNA polymerase I DNA polymerase I (Pol I) is an enzyme found in prokaryotes that plays a role in DNA replication and repair, primarily assisting in the removal of RNA primers and filling in the resulting gaps with DNA nucleotides. Structure of DNA polymerase I Mechanism of DNA … Read more