DNA Replication Process

DNA Replication Process

DNA replication is the process of copying a double-stranded DNA molecule to form two double-stranded molecules. The process of DNA replication is a fundamental process used by all living organisms as it is the basis for biological inheritance.

DNA Replication

The process of DNA replication is a fundamental process used by all living organisms as it is the basis for biological inheritance. As each DNA strand holds the same genetic information, both strands can serve as templates for the reproduction of the opposite strand. The template strand is preserved in its entirety and the new strand is assembled from nucleotides. This process is called "semiconservative replication". The resulting double-stranded DNA molecules are identical; proofreading and error-checking mechanisms exist to ensure near perfect fidelity.

Semiconservative Replication

Semiconservative replication describes the method by which DNA is replicated in all known cells. This method of replication was one of three proposed models of DNA replication: a)Conservative replication would leave the two original template DNA strands together in a double helix and would produce a copy composed of two new strands containing all of the new DNA base pairs. b) Dispersive replication would produce two copies of the DNA, both containing distinct regions of DNA composed of either both original strands and both new strands.

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