DNA Replication

By Cordasia_H

  • Step 1 of DNA Replication

    Step 1 of DNA Replication
    Before DNA can be replicated, the double stranded molecule must be “unzipped” into two single strands. In order to unwind DNA, these interactions between base pairs must be broken. This is performed by an enzyme known as DNA Helicase. DNA helicase disrupts the hydrogen bonding between base pairs to separate the strands into a Y shape known as the replication fork. This area will be the template for replication to begin.

  • Step 2 of DNA Replication

    Step 2 of DNA Replication
    The second step of DNA Replication involves another enzyme called DNA Polymerase. This enzyme reads the DNA and determines which new nucleotides to add to the parent strand.

  • Step 3 of DNA Replication

    Step 3 of DNA Replication
    DNA polymerase adds appropriate nucleotides to the new DNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction. Small DNA fragments called Okazaki Fragments are made on the other strand. At the end another DNA molecule is created.