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Understanding DNA and Its Replication Process

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid contains the genetic code that is passed down from generation to generation. DNA replication is the process where DNA duplicates before cell division. It occurs in multiple steps: (1) The two strands of DNA separate at the origins of replication. (2) A replication fork forms as the strands split. (3) Nucleotides bind to each strand based on base pairing rules, with DNA polymerase matching the strands. (4) Replication terminates when the DNA polymerase reaches the ends of the strands and error correction occurs.

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6 views2 pages

Understanding DNA and Its Replication Process

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid contains the genetic code that is passed down from generation to generation. DNA replication is the process where DNA duplicates before cell division. It occurs in multiple steps: (1) The two strands of DNA separate at the origins of replication. (2) A replication fork forms as the strands split. (3) Nucleotides bind to each strand based on base pairing rules, with DNA polymerase matching the strands. (4) Replication terminates when the DNA polymerase reaches the ends of the strands and error correction occurs.

Uploaded by

Tania Weniton
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is a DNA and what is DNA replication?

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is considered as the blueprint or the hereditary molecule


of all living organisms. There are two DNA strands bounded by four nucleotide bases
called purines and pyrimidines. The two purines are known as adenine (A) and guanine
(G), and the two pyrimides are thymine (T) and cytosine (C). The DNA strands appear
as a double helix. They contain the genes and the genetic code which are passed from
generations to generations. This is made possible through a process known as DNA
Replication. DNA replication therefore, is an essential process in the perpetuation of the
species.

Steps of DNA Replication

DNA replication occurs before cell division and it goes through a series of steps to
duplicate new DNA molecules. These steps are as follows:

Step 1: The Separation of DNA Strands

The steps of DNA replication always begin by separating a twisted strand into two
untwisted molecular strands. It happens in the specific area of a chromosome known as
the “origins”. The origins contain a series of codes that attract the helicase, a protein
that aids in the separation of the strands. Once the helicase locates the origins, it sends
out signals inside the cell for other replication initiator proteins to help out in the
separation. DNA strands are being separated by breaking the hydrogen bonds between
the nucleotide base pairs, such as those of adenine (A) and thymine (T), and guanine
(G) and cytosine (C).

Step 2: Replication Fork Formation

Splitting the original double helix into two strands visually presents a Y-shaped
formation known as the replication fork. Each prong appears as an elongated line that
requires an identical half to match in order to form a new pair of strands. One of the
separated strands is called the leading strand, which is constantly utilized for DNA
synthesis while the lagging strand is responsible for the complimentary strand’s
synthesis.

Step 3: Binding of Bases to Each Strand

Both leading strand and lagging strand already has base patterns from the start and it
serves as the template for the corresponding strands. For each strand, the bases match
with the free floating nucleotides present inside the cell following the nucleotide base
pairing rules to establish the hydrogen bonding between a separated strand and a new
matching strand. It is made possible by the DNA polymerase, an enzyme that functions
like a sewing machine in matching and zipping both strands together.
The replication process does not result to a brand new chain of DNA. It is always a
mixture of both the original strand that is conserved as a partner all throughout the
continuous steps of DNA replication process and the recently made strand. This
process is recognized as the semiconservative replication.

Step 4: The Termination of the Replication Process

The termination process occurs as soon as the DNA polymerase enzyme arrived at the
edge of the strands where no more possible replication could occur. But before the
process is completed, it goes through the process of repair to correct errors such as
mismatching of nucleotides. After this step, the DNA replication is completed.

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