DNA replication

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

DNA replication is the process of copying a double-stranded DNA molecule. Both strands serve as templates for the reproduction of the opposite strand. The process is sometimes called "semi-conservative replication" because the daughter DNA from the original parent strand contains half of the original and half of the newly synthesized DNA.


In a cell, DNA replication begins at specific places in the genome, called origins.[2] As the DNA unwinds at the origin, the synthesis of new strands forms at a replication fork. In addition to DNA polymerase,[3] other enzymes at the fork help to start and continue the DNA synthesis.

DNA polymerase[change | change source]

DNA polymerases are a family of enzymes that carry out all forms of DNA replication.[4] However, a DNA polymerase can only extend an existing DNA strand paired with a template strand; it cannot begin the synthesis of a new strand. To begin synthesis, a short fragment of DNA or RNA, called a 'primer', is created and paired with the template DNA strand.

Many enzymes are involved in the DNA replication fork.

In general, DNA polymerases are extremely accurate, making less than one mistake for every 107 (10 million) nucleotides added.[5] Even so, some DNA polymerases also have 'proofreading' ability: they can remove nucleotides from the end of a strand in order to correct mismatched bases.

DNA repair[change | change source]

DNA in cells is constantly being damaged.[6] The nucleus of cells contains a number of repair mechanisms which fix almost all of this damage. "A large set of DNA repair enzymes continuously scan the DNA and repair any damaged nucleotides".[7]

References[change | change source]

  1. Most viruses use RNA instead.
  3. The enzyme which synthesizes new DNA by adding nucleotides matched to the template strand.

Other websites[change | change source]