Sequence of events for replication

Question 1

what is the first step of replication

Answer 1

DNA unwinds and unzips

the DNA double helix unwinds, and the two strands of DNA separate;​

hydrogen bonds between the bases break with the help from the enzyme HELICASE​

Question 2

what is the second step of replication

Answer 2

Complementary base pairing

new nucleotides move in to pair up with bases of each template strand of DNA. (These new nucleotides are always floating around within the nucleoplasm.)​

Bonding occurs using the complementary base pairing rules A-T and G-C​

The enzyme DNA POLYMERASE facilitates the base pairing process​

Question 3

What is the third step in replication

Answer 3

Adjacent nucleotides bond

Covalent bonds between the sugar & phosphate form between adjacent nucleotides of the new strand to complete the molecule. ​

The new molecule winds into a double helix.​

The enzyme LIGASE is involved in “sealing” the sugar-phosphate backbone​

Question 4

what does each new strand of DNA contain

Answer 4

one “old” strand and one new strand. this is known as semi-conservative replication

Question 5

what is the final product of replication

Answer 5

2 complete double-stranded DNA molecules, each with one new strand and one original strand that acted as a template for replication​

Question 6

What exactly is semi-conservative replication

Answer 6

Half the original molecule is conserved in each of the new molecules and this ensures very accurate replication of the parent molecule​

This process proceeds by the action of several very specific enzymes (e.g. DNA Polymerases, ligase, helicase)​