DNA Replication

DNA Replication

1. Nuclear division - Is the process by which the nucleus divides. There are two types of nuclear division, mitosis and meiosis

2. Cytokiesis - Follows nuclear division and is the process by which the whole cell divides

   • Before the nucleus divides its DNA must be replicated

3. DNA helicase causes the two strands of DNA to separate by breaking hydrogen bonds.

   • The free nucleotides that have been activated bind specifically to their complementary bases.
     • Once the activated nucleotides are bound they are joined together by DNA polymerase, which makes phosphodiester bonds
       • Finally all the nucleotides joined to form a complete polynucleotide chain using DNA polymerase

4. Semi-conservative replication

   • The four types of nucleotide bases of adenine, guanine, cytosine or thymine must be present.
     • Both strands of DNA molecule act as a template for the attract
       • The enzyme DNA polymerase
         • A source of chemical energy is required to drive the process