Initiation

Replication begins at a location on the double helix known as “oriC” to which certain initiator proteins
bind and trigger unwinding. Enzymes known as helicases unwind the double helix by breaking the
hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs, while other proteins keep the single strands from
rejoining. The “topoisomerase” proteins surround the unzipping strands and relax the twisting that
might damage the unwinding DNA. The cell prepares for the next step, elongation, by creating short
sequences of RNA called primers that provide a starting point of elongation.

1.The first step in DNA replication is to ‘unzip’ the double helix structure of the DNA? molecule.

2. This is carried out by an enzyme? called helicase which breaks the hydrogen bonds? holding the
complementary? bases? of DNA together (A with T, C with G).

3. The separation of the two single strands of DNA creates a ‘Y’ shape called a replication ‘fork’. The two
separated strands will act as templates for making the new strands of DNA.

enzymes involved: helicase, ssb protein, dna primase

Elongation

With the primer as the starting point for the leading strand, a new DNA strand grows one base at a time.
The existing strand is a template for the new strand. For example, if the next base on the existing strand
is an A, the new strand receives a T. The enzyme DNA polymerase controls elongation, which can occur
only in the leading direction. The lagging strand unwinds in small sections that DNA polymerase
replicates in the leading direction.

4. One of the strands is oriented in the 3’ to 5’ direction (towards the replication fork), this is the leading
strand?. The other strand is oriented in the 5’ to 3’ direction (away from the replication fork), this is the
lagging strand?. As a result of their different orientations, the two strands are replicated differently:

Leading Strand:

5. A short piece of RNA ?called a primer? (produced by an enzyme called primase) comes along and
binds to the end of the leading strand. The primer acts as the starting point for DNA synthesis.

6. DNA polymerase? binds to the leading strand and then ‘walks’ along it, adding new complementary?
nucleotide? bases (A, C, G and T) to the strand of DNA in the 5’ to 3’ direction.

7. This sort of replication is called continuous.

Lagging strand:

5. Numerous RNA primers are made by the primase enzyme and bind at various points along the lagging
strand.
6. Chunks of DNA, called Okazaki fragments, are then added to the lagging strand also in the 5’ to 3’
direction.

7. This type of replication is called discontinuous as the Okazaki fragments will need to be joined up later.

enzymes involved: dna polymerase 3

Termination

After elongation is complete, two new double helices have replaced the original helix. During
termination, the last primer sequence must be removed from the end of the lagging strand. This last
portion of the lagging strand is the telomere section, containing a repeating non-coding sequence of
bases. Enzymes snip off a telomere at the end of each replication, leading to shorter strands after each
cycle. Finally, enzymes called nucleases “proofread” the new double helix structures and remove
mispaired bases. DNA polymerase then fills in the gaps created by the excised bases.

8. Once all of the bases are matched up (A with T, C with G), an enzyme called exonuclease strips away
the primer(s). The gaps where the primer(s) were are then filled by yet more complementary
nucleotides.

9. The new strand is proofread to make sure there are no mistakes in the new DNA sequence.

10. Finally, an enzyme called DNA ligase? seals up the sequence of DNA into two continuous double
strands.

11. 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.

12. Following replication the new DNA automatically winds up into a double helix.

enzymes involved: dna polymerase 1, dna ligase

Why Replicate DNA?

DNA is the genetic material that defines every cell. Before a cell duplicates and is divided into new
daughter cells through either mitosis or meiosis, biomolecules and organelles must be copied to be
distributed among the cells. DNA, found within the nucleus, must be replicated in order to ensure that
each new cell receives the correct number of chromosomes. The process of DNA duplication is called
DNA replication. Replication follows several steps that involve multiple proteins called replication
enzymes and RNA. In eukaryotic cells, such as animal cells and plant cells, DNA replication occurs in the S
phase of interphase during the cell cycle. The process of DNA replication is vital for cell growth, repair,
and reproduction in organisms.

DNA Structure
DNA is made of two strands. These strands have nucleotides lined up one after the other and those
nucleotides are bound to the nucleotides on the other strand to create a ladder-like structure! Now the
binding between nucleotides is very specific and the binding is via Hydrogen Bonds. A will bind to T and
C will bind to G. These nucleotides bind to each other and are called as Base pairs. So there we have it. A
seemingly never-ending ladder made of nucleotides pairing up with each other. But there is one more
change, take that ladder and twist it! That’s it, our DNA looks like a simple double helix with specific
nucleotide binding. Easy, right

Replication

New cells are continuously forming in the body through the process of cell division. For this to happen,
the DNA in a dividing cell must be copied in a process known as replication. The complementary base
pairing of the double helix provides a ready model for how genetic replication occurs. If the two chains
of the double helix are pulled apart, disrupting the hydrogen bonding between base pairs, each chain
can act as a template, or pattern, for the synthesis of a new complementary DNA chain.