DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication (pronounced: dee-en-ay reh-pli-kay-shun) is a biological process that occurs in all living organisms and is the basis for biological inheritance. The process is characterized by the production of two identical replicas from one original DNA molecule.
Etymology
The term "DNA Replication" is derived from the English words "Deoxyribonucleic Acid", which is the full form of DNA, and "Replication", which means the action of copying or reproducing something.
Process
DNA Replication begins at specific locations in the genome called Origins of replication. The DNA double helix is unwound by the enzyme Helicase, resulting in a 'replication fork' of two single strands of DNA. These strands serve as templates for replication.
The enzyme DNA polymerase synthesizes a new strand of DNA by extending the 3' end of an existing nucleotide chain, reading the template DNA strand and adding complementary nucleotides.
Primase synthesizes a short RNA primer with a free 3' end which is extended by DNA polymerase. On the leading strand, DNA is synthesized continuously, whereas on the lagging strand, DNA is synthesized in short fragments known as Okazaki fragments, which are later joined by DNA ligase.
Related Terms
- Genome: The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
- Nucleotide: The basic building block of DNA and RNA.
- Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts.
- Helicase: An enzyme that unwinds the DNA helix at the replication fork.
- DNA polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes a new strand of DNA.
- Primase: An enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer for initiation of DNA replication.
- Okazaki fragments: Short sequences of DNA nucleotides which are synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by the enzyme DNA ligase.
- DNA ligase: An enzyme that facilitates the joining of DNA strands together.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on DNA Replication
- Wikipedia's article - DNA Replication
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