DNA Replication What is it? How does it happen? Why does it happen?

What are the major functions of DNA?  Controls our cellular activities  Determines our traits  Protein Synthesis

DNA Structure Review Double Helix Base Pairs

DNA Replication  Define Replication: A copy or reproduction

How does the structure of DNA allow for replication to occur?  Each strand of DNA has all the information needed to reconstruct the other half  Strands are called “Complementary”

DNA Replication:

The Process 1. Special enzymes move along the DNA strands unwinding and “unzipping” the DNA

2. Other enzymes add new nucleotides to create the two new strands from each original strand of DNA 3. The two DNA molecules wind up How do these new nucleotides line up?

Where do the free floating nucleotides come from?  Our digestive and circulatory systems!  Nucleic Acids are digested into individual nucleotides and transported to body cells  (Vegetables and Dairy)

The Final Product  Two identical DNA strands – each has one old strand and one new strand  “Semi- Conservative”

Why do we need two sets of genetic information? CELL DIVISION!!!

Let’s Review Replication! DNA Replication Animation DNA Replication Animation