DNA Replication Notes

DNA Replication: A Step-By-Step Process
1. Introduction
DNA replication is essential for life. Without it, cells would not be able to divide and produce
new cells. This process is responsible for the continuity of life, and it is amazing to think that it all
happens inside the cells of our bodies! Let's look at how DNA replication works, step by step.
2. What is DNA replication?

“DNA replication is the process by which the genome’s DNA is copied in cells. Before a cell
divides, it must first copy (or replicate) its entire genome so that each resulting daughter cell
ends up with its own complete genome."Courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute"
www.genome.gov.
This is important to maintain the DNA information of the cells before the process of cell division.
3. The process of DNA replication
The process of DNA replication can be summarized into 6 major steps. The first step in the
process is the separation of the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. The DNA helicase is
responsible for this process.
DNA helicases unwind DNA at positions called origins where synthesis will be initiated. DNA
helicase continues to unwind the DNA forming a structure called the replication fork, (named for
the forked appearance of the two strands of DNA as they are unzipped apart).
This process of unzipping the DNA specifically the breaking of the hydrogen bonds between the
nucleotide’s base pairs requires energy stored in a molecule called ATP.
The separated strands will serve as the template strands in the DNA replication process.
To prevent the unwound structure from re-annealing, another enzyme will be attached to the
structure. This structure is called the Single-Strand Binding Protein, which allows the template
DNA strands to stay separated and available for the replication process. RNA primer segments
are placed on this unwound DNA by the enzyme primase.
DNA polymerase (III) arrives at the site of the RNA primers to begin replication. The DNA
polymerase moves along the template strand and adds bases that are complementary to our
DNA template strand in an anti-parallel direction: DNA Polymerase reads the template strand in
the 3' to 5' direction, but the new DNA strand is produced in the 5' to 3' direction.
Eventually, we differentiate into the leading and lagging strands of DNA. DNA polymerase binds
to the leading strand, adding new complementary nucleotide bases to the strand of DNA in the
5’ to 3’ direction as helicase is unwinding the DNA. Chunks of DNA, called Okazaki fragments, are
then added to the lagging strand also in the 5’ to 3’ direction. It is important to note that DNA
replication always occurs in the 5' to 3' direction!
In the lagging strands, RNAse H (aka DNA Pol I) removes primers as DNA Polymerase (III)
approaches. From there, DNA ligase combines the Okazaki fragments. This final step completes
the DNA replication process.
4. Enzymes involved in DNA replication
DNA replication requires the action of three main enzymes each with its own specific role:
Helicase unzips and unwinds the DNA molecule.
DNA polymerase creates a new complementary strand of DNA on each of the originals halves
that were separated by helicase. New nucleotides are added through complementary base
pairing: A pairs with T, and C with G.
Ligase repairs gaps in the sugar-phosphate backbone between Okazaki fragments.
5. The role of DNA polymerase
The primary role of DNA polymerases is to replicate the genome accurately and efficiently in
order to ensure the maintenance of the genetic information and its faithful transmission
through generations.
6. Okazaki fragments
An Okazaki fragment is a relatively short fragment of DNA (with an RNA primer at the 5'
terminus) created on the lagging strand during DNA replication. It was originally discovered in
1968 by Reiji Okazaki, Tsuneko Okazaki, and their colleagues while studying the replication of
bacteriophage DNA in Escherichia coli.
7. Lagging and leading strands
The strand that opens in the 3’ to 5’ direction towards the replication fork is referred to as the
lagging strand. The strand is replicated discontinuously. Short stretches called Okazaki
fragments are formed during replication. Each fragment requires its own set of primers. It
requires DNA ligase enzymes for the joining of short Okazaki fragments. It grows away from the
replication fork. The synthesis of new strands is slow.
The strand that runs in the 5’ to 3’ direction in the replication fork is referred to as the leading
strand. No short fragments are formed. It requires only one primer. It does not require DNA
ligase. It grows in the direction of the replication fork. The synthesis of new strands is fast.
8. The REPLICATION FORK.
The replication fork is a region where a cell's DNA double helix has been unwound and
separated to create an area where DNA polymerases and the other enzymes involved can use
each strand as a template to synthesize a new double helix.
9. The importance of DNA replication
DNA replication is semi-conservative because each daughter molecule contains one strand
from the parent molecule and one new complementary strand.
10. To wrap up, DNA replication is important for a variety of reasons. It helps ensure that an
organism's genetic information is passed down to its offspring, and it helps repair damage to the
DNA molecule. Additionally, DNA replication is essential for the process of cell division. Without
DNA replication, cells would not be able to divide and reproduce, and life as we know it would
not be possible.

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DNA Replication: A Step-By-Step Process

2. What is DNA replication?

9. The importance of DNA replication

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