Question

1. Where does the energy required for DNA synthesis (adding bases to the new daughter strand) come from?

Answer 1

During DNA synthesis, the addition of new nucleotides on the growing chain occurs. This process requires energy which comes from the nucleotides themselves. These nucleotides are triphosphate deoxyribonucleotides which contain 3 phosphates known as Alpha phosphate, beta phosphate and gamma phosphate. During the process, the beta and gamma phosphates are cleaved which provides the necessary energy for the synthesis. The remaining alpha phosphate ks attached to the 3' end of a previously added nucleotide.