DNA Replication Study Guide - Biology101.

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DNA Replication

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DNA Replication
DNA Synthesis
Biology

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DNA replication is the first step in both mitosis and

meiosis. This process requires that a cell unwind the
length of an entire chromosome in segments to be
copied. These copies must be exact; without any errors.
The process will end with an exact copy of one
chromosome's DNA.

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Several enzymes are necessary for DNA replication to

occur:

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DNA Replication Study Guide - Biology101.org

http://www.biology101.org/biologystudyguides/dnareplication.php

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The process begins when an enzyme known as

helicase, unwinds the DNA. Helicase accomplishes this
by breaking hydrogen bonds between each nucleotide.
In human DNA, it would be impossible for the cell to
handle the unwinding of the entire DNA molecule at one
time. There simply would not be enough room in the
nucleus of the cell. As a result, helicase will only unwind
as much DNA as is necessary. As soon as it is
replicated, the DNA molecule can wind back up into a
more compact structure.

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The replication of DNA also uses origins of replication to

start the process. Organisms with very large genomes
would take days to replicate due to their size. As a
result, multiple origins of replication usually form to
replicate simultaneously and speed the process along.
This means that the replication of DNA will proceed in
two directions until the entire molecule is copied.

The
easiest way to understand DNA replication is through
the use of a visual known as a replication fork. This
shows the 5' (pronounced five prime) end of the DNA
and the 3' end. The 5' end always ends with a
phosphate and the 3' with a hydroxide. This also makes
it easier to understand why DNA is considered
semi-conservative. This means that when DNA is
replicated the parental strand is split. Although there are
2 new DNA molecules made, both of the molecules only
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DNA Replication Study Guide - Biology101.org

http://www.biology101.org/biologystudyguides/dnareplication.php

contain one half parent and the other half newly made
DNA.
The next step in DNA replication is performed with an
enzyme known as DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase
is responsible for adding new nucleotides to the new
strands according to the rules of base pairing. That is, A
binding with T and G binding with C. DNA polymerase
can add nucleotides only in a 5' (prime) to 3' (prime)
direction. This means that on the leading strand it can
add the nucleotides in a continuous fashion. On the
lagging strand the DNA is going in the opposite
direction. Therefore, it must add the newly synthesized
DNA in small fragments. These fragments are known as
Okazaki fragments. They will eventually be glued
together to make a seamless strand of new DNA. It
should also be noted that DNA polymerase does have
some proofreading ability. It will check to make sure it
has added the correct nucleotides during the replication
process.
The last step in DNA replication is the putting together
the Okazaki fragments so they are one seamless piece.
This involves using an enzyme called DNA ligase. DNA
ligase glues together the pieces of DNA to make one
long molecule. The DNA can now be recoiled so that it
will fit inside the cell. The recoiling process occurs when
DNA winds around a histone protein. It is then
packaged into chromatin. It is in this manner that DNA
is able to fit inside the tiny nucleus of a cell.
There are now two complete strands of DNA. This
means the cell must now commit to either mitosis or
meiosis. This is because the cell has two complete
stands of DNA (double the genetic material). It is
imperative that the cell divide in order to have the
correct amount of DNA in the cells. This entire
replication process occurs during the S phase
(synthesis) of the cell cycle. If the cell is destined for
mitosis, it will only divide one time. This means the
amount of genetic material will be the same as the
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DNA Replication Study Guide - Biology101.org

http://www.biology101.org/biologystudyguides/dnareplication.php

parent cell. If the cell is meant to be a gamete, the cell

will undergo meiosis (two divisions). This will result in a
cell that is haploid (half the genetic material of the cell).
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