The formation of the replication bubble occurs in several steps and involves several enzymes:
1. Initiation: The DNA helicase (enzyme) binds to the origin of replication site and begins to unwind the double-stranded DNA.
2. Formation of the replication bubble: As the helicase moves along the DNA, it creates a replication bubble where the DNA strands are separated. DNA polymerase (enzyme) attaches to each of the separated strands and begins to add complementary nucleotides to form new strands.
3. Elongation: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides continuously to the leading strand, which runs in the 5’ to 3’ direction. It adds nucleotides in a discontinuous manner to the lagging strand, which runs in the opposite direction, in small sections known as Okazaki fragments.
4. Joining of fragments: The Okazaki fragments are eventually joined together by DNA ligase (enzyme), which seals any gaps between the fragments and creates a continuous strand.
Overall, the formation of the replication bubble allows for the efficient replication of DNA, with multiple replication bubbles forming along the DNA molecule to speed up the process.
When the DNA is replicated, the DNA double helix is unwound to form the replication bubble. Explain the process and enzymes when the DNA bubble is formed
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