Mechanism Of DNA Replication 😎😎| Molecular Basis of Heredity |

#DNAReplication by #rahulsirbio

DNA replication is the process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring that each new cell has an exact copy of the genetic material. This occurs in the S-phase of the cell cycle and is essential for cell division and growth. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. **Initiation**: Specific sites on the DNA, known as origins of replication, are recognized, and the DNA unwinds, creating a replication fork.

2. **Unwinding and Stabilization**: Enzyme helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, and single-strand binding proteins stabilize the separated strands.

3. **Primer Binding**: Primase, an RNA polymerase, synthesizes a short RNA primer that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis.

4. **Elongation**: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the new strand in a 5’ to 3’ direction, continuously on the leading strand and in fragments (Okazaki fragments) on the lagging strand.

5. **Joining Fragments**: On the lagging strand, DNA ligase connects Okazaki fragments, forming a continuous strand.

6. **Proofreading and Error Correction**: DNA polymerase also has proofreading ability, correcting any errors in nucleotide pairing to minimize mutations.

7. **Termination**: Once replication is complete, the newly formed DNA molecules recoil into a double helix, and the cell proceeds with division.

Each step is carefully regulated, ensuring fidelity in DNA replication and enabling genetic information to be passed down accurately through generations.

#MolecularBiology #Genetics #CellCycle