Question
copying process by which a cell duplicates its DNA
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GPT-4o mini
The process by which a cell duplicates its DNA is called **DNA replication**. This process is crucial for cell division, as it ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the genetic material.
Here's a brief overview of the key steps involved in DNA replication:
1. **Initiation**: The process begins at specific locations on the DNA molecule called "origins of replication." Enzymes such as helicase unwind the double helix, separating the two strands of DNA and creating a "replication fork."
2. **Primer Binding**: RNA primers, synthesized by the enzyme primase, bind to the single-stranded DNA. These primers provide a starting point for DNA synthesis.
3. **Elongation**: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand, complementary to the template strand, in the 5' to 3' direction. As a result, one strand is synthesized continuously (leading strand), while the other strand (lagging strand) is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments, which are later joined together by DNA ligase.
4. **Termination**: Once the entire molecule has been replicated, the RNA primers are removed and replaced with DNA. The DNA strands are then proofread and repaired as necessary to correct errors.
5. **Result**: At the end of this process, two identical DNA molecules are formed, each containing one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, a consequence of the semi-conservative nature of DNA replication.
This entire process is fundamental for cellular division in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Here's a brief overview of the key steps involved in DNA replication:
1. **Initiation**: The process begins at specific locations on the DNA molecule called "origins of replication." Enzymes such as helicase unwind the double helix, separating the two strands of DNA and creating a "replication fork."
2. **Primer Binding**: RNA primers, synthesized by the enzyme primase, bind to the single-stranded DNA. These primers provide a starting point for DNA synthesis.
3. **Elongation**: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand, complementary to the template strand, in the 5' to 3' direction. As a result, one strand is synthesized continuously (leading strand), while the other strand (lagging strand) is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments, which are later joined together by DNA ligase.
4. **Termination**: Once the entire molecule has been replicated, the RNA primers are removed and replaced with DNA. The DNA strands are then proofread and repaired as necessary to correct errors.
5. **Result**: At the end of this process, two identical DNA molecules are formed, each containing one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, a consequence of the semi-conservative nature of DNA replication.
This entire process is fundamental for cellular division in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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