The first steps in bacterial DNA replication are represented in the figure below, in which the letters T and U point to ________, respectively.
A) strand separation at GC-rich regions and binding of gyrase at oriC
B) strand separation at the 13-mer repeats and binding of DnaA-ATP proteins at the 9-mer repeats
C) strand separation at the 9-mer repeats and binding of DamA proteins at the 9-mer repeats
D) strand separation at the 13-mer repeats and binding of SeqA proteins at the 9-mer repeats
E) synthesis of RNA primer and binding of primase

Question

The first steps in bacterial DNA replication are represented in the figure below, in which the letters T and U point to ________, respectively. 
A) strand separation at GC-rich regions and binding of gyrase at oriC 
B) strand separation at the 13-mer repeats and binding of DnaA-ATP proteins at the 9-mer repeats 
C) strand separation at the 9-mer repeats and binding of DamA proteins at the 9-mer repeats 
D) strand separation at the 13-mer repeats and binding of SeqA proteins at the 9-mer repeats 
E) synthesis of RNA primer and binding of primase

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first steps in bacterial DNA replication involve strand separation at the 13-mer repeats, which are rich in AT base pairs, and binding of DnaA-ATP proteins at the 9-mer repeats, which are rich in A and T base pairs. This initiates the assembly of the replication machinery and the unwinding of the double helix. The letters T and U are both pointing to the 9-mer repeats where DnaA-ATP proteins bind.

The First Steps in Bacterial DNA Replication Are Represented in the Figure