Year 12 Genetics DNA replication

What’s the point? An exact copy of all the DNA in a cell’s nucleus must take place before cellular replication otherwise there will not be enough DNA for the daughter cells. Must be carried out with precision and in a timely manner Takes place during Interphase during the cell cycle, once the message to replicate has been received.

Machinery required Helicase – an enzyme to split the DNA molecule at the hydrogen bonds and create a replication fork.

DNA polymerase – An enzyme responsible for creating the complimentary strand to the original DNA strand to reform the DNA molecule.

DNA creation and reading DNA can only be created and read in the 5’ to 3’ direction. The 5’ end is the phosphate end The 3’ end is the sugar end

DNA replication Due to the antiparallel configuration of the strands, when DNA is being replicated there is a leading strand and a lagging strand.