21.4 DNA Replication The function of DNA in the cells is to preserve genetic information. transfer genetic information to new cells as the strands of DNA are copied.

DNA Replication In DNA replication, the strands in the original or parent DNA molecule separate to allow the synthesis of complementary DNA strands. the process begins with the unwinding of the double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases. the resulting single strands act as templates for the synthesis of new complementary strands of DNA.

Hydrogen Bonding, Base Pairs Within the nucleus, nucleoside triphosphates (dATP, dTTP, dGTP, and dCTP) on the template strand form hydrogen bonds with their complementary bases phosphodiester linkages are formed between the nucleotides as the hydrogen bonds form between the base pairs: T forms hydrogen bonds with A. G forms hydrogen bonds with C.

Daughter DNA Strands In each new DNA, one strand of the double helix is from the parent DNA. one is a newly synthesized DNA strand. two new daughter DNA strands that are exact copies of the parent DNA are formed. complementary base pairing ensures the correct placement of bases in the daughter DNA strands.

Daughter DNA Strands

Direction of Replication During DNA replication, helicase unwinds the parent DNA at several sections. DNA polymerase catalyzes the replication process at each of the open DNA sections called replication forks. the polymerase moves in the 3′–5′direction, catalyzing the formation of new phosphodiester linkages. the lagging strand (growing in the 5′–3′ direction) is synthesized in short sections called Okazaki fragments. DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments.

Direction of Replication

Enzymes, Proteins in Replication

Study Check A. short segments formed on the lagging strand Match the following to their definitions: 1) helicase 2) DNA polymerase 3) replication fork 4) Okazaki fragments A. short segments formed on the lagging strand B. the starting point for synthesis in unwound DNA sections C. the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix D. the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds of complementary bases

Solution 4 A. short segments formed on the lagging strand Match the following to their definitions: 1) helicase 2) DNA polymerase 3) replication fork 4) Okazaki fragments 4 A. short segments formed on the lagging strand 3 B. the starting point for synthesis in unwound DNA sections 1 C. the enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix 2 D. the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds of complementary bases