1. Year 12 Genetics
DNA replication

2. 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.

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

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

6. 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

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