In molecular biology DNA replication is a process whereby the living organism creates a typical replica or prototype of a DNA structure during the cell division process. This important biological process takes place in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Every year BookMyEssay gets thousands of calls and emails from the students with a request to help in writing assignments on DNA replication process successfully. BookMyEssay is the most authentic source of qualified and experienced microbiology experts who can handle these assignments efficiently. The writers take care of everything including the deadline and guideline of an assignment to impress the examiners and fetch high grades in the examinations.

Structure of DNA

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid consists of a 5-carbon deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. DNA comprises of two helix- shaped spiral chains of nucleic acids. This twisting is a natural process that allows DNA to be more condensed. To rightly fit in the small structure of the nucleus, DNA is tightly packed in a coil structure called chromatin. Chromatin forms chromosomes during the cell division. Just before the DNA replication, the structure of chromatin loosens a bit giving access of the DNA replication machinery to the DNA strands.

DNA Replication Process

The steps involved in the DNA replication process are as followed:

• The double helix structure of DNA is opened. The process is initiated by an enzyme known as helicase. The enzyme breaks down the hydrogen bonds that hold the complementary DNA bases together.
• The separation of the strands creates a Y-shaped replication fork.
• DNA is directional in both strands. Each of the strands has 5’ and 3’ ends. The 5’ end possesses phosphate group and 3’ end possesses hydroxyl group.
• One of the strands is oriented in 3’ to 5’ direction towards the replication fork called leading strand. The other one is just oppositely directed away from the replication fork called lagging strand.

Now the leading strand undergoes the following process:

• A tiny piece if DNA binds with the end of the leading strand. This RNA is called primer.
• Now, DNA polymerases, through the process of elongation, create the new strands. They actually add complimentary nucleotide bases to the DNA strand. This is called continuous replication process.

The lagging strand undergoes the following process:

The replication of the lagging strand starts by binding with numerous primers. DNA polymerase then adds several pieces of Okazaki fragments to the lagging strand. The newly formed fragments remain disconnected from one another’ hence, this kind of replication is called discontinuous replication process.

At the final stage the following process takes place:

• The bases are matched up, i.e. A with T and C with G.
• The enzyme called exonuclease strips away the primers.
• The gaps are filled with nucleoids.
• DNA ligase seals the sequence of the DNA forming two continuous double strands.
• DNA winds up to form a compact structure of double helix.

The entire process too complicated and takes several sub-steps. The enzymes used in the process are complex molecules with different characteristics.

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