DNA replication involves unwinding the DNA double helix using the enzyme helicase. On the leading strand, DNA polymerase III continuously adds nucleotides to form the leading strand. On the lagging strand, which is discontinuous, RNA primers are added by primase and DNA polymerase II builds the strand through Okazaki fragments. DNA ligase eventually seals the fragments together to form a complete copy of the original DNA double helix.
2. DNA
• The DNA double helix refers to the
shape of the DNA molecule, or the
twisted ladder. It has two intertwining
strands made of sugar and phosphate
with links across the middle. The
rungs of the ladder are base pairs
made of four different
bases, represented by the letters
A, T, G, and C.
3. 5’
3’
The Enzyme DNA
helicase “unzips” or
unwinds the double
stranded DNA at the
origin of replication
by breaking hydrogen
bonds between
complementary
strands.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
Hydrogen Bond
3’
5’
= Cytosine
17. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
18. DNA Polymerase III
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
19. DNA Polymerase III
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
20. DNA Polymerase III
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
21. DNA Polymerase III
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
22. DNA Polymerase III
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
23. Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
lymerase III
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
24. Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
e III
= Cytosine
25. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the leading strand, DNA
Polymerase III adds the 5’ phosphate
end of a free floating nucleotide to the
exposed 3’ OH ends on the single
stranded DNA in a continuous fashion.
The leading strand elongates toward the
replication fork.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
26. DNA Primase
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
`
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
27. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
DNA Primase
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
28. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
DNA Primase
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
29. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
30. 3’
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Lagging Strand
DNA Primase
3’ 5’
Leading Strand
5’
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
3’
5’
5’
31. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
32. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
33. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
34. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
35. DNA Primase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
36. Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
DNA Primase
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
37. Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
DNA Primase
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
38. Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Primase
= Guanine
= Cytosine
39. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
RNA Primer
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
40. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
DNA Polymerase II
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
RNA Primer
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
41. DNA Polymerase II
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
RNA Primer
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
42. DNA Polymerase II
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
DNA
When the
DNA
Polymerase II
reaches the
RNA
primer, it
turns into
DNA.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
43. DNA Polymerase II
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
DNA
When the
DNA
Polymerase II
reaches the
RNA primer,
it turns into
DNA.
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
44. DNA Polymerase II
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
= Cytosine
45. Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
erase II
= Guanine
= Cytosine
46. Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
= Guanine
II
= Cytosine
47. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Then, on the lagging strand, which has
to be built discontinuously, a short
RNA primer is synthesized from DNA
primase. The primer is extended in a 5’
to 3’ direction, with short DNA
segments called Okazaki fragments
formed from DNA Polymerase II.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
48. Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
DNA Ligase
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
49. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
50. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
51. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
52. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
53. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
54. DNA Ligase
Lagging Strand
Leading Strand
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
55. Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
DNA Ligase
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
56. Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
A Ligase
= Thymine
5’
Okazaki
fragments
= Guanine
= Cytosine
57. Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
Key
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
ase
Okazaki
fragments
5’
= Guanine
= Cytosine
58. 5’
3’5’
3’
Lastly, DNA Ligase forms a
phophodiester bond to finalize
the connection of Okazaki
fragments.
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA
= Phosphate
= Sugar
= Adenine
= Thymine
Okazaki
fragments
3’
Key
5’ 3’
5’
= Guanine
= Cytosine
59. Why Does DNA Need to
Replicate?
• DNA needs to replicate because when a cell in
your body divides, in order for your body to grow
or repair itself it must also duplicate the cell's
DNA. This is so the cell will then have it's own set
of directions to know how to continue
replicating.
60. Where in Mitosis Does
DNA Replication
Happen?
• DNA replication happens in S Phase
and also in cytokinesis, or the last
phase of mitosis.
61. Where in the Cell?
•DNA replication happens in the
nucleus of a cell.
62. In My Own Words...
• Telomeres- keep chromosomes from
becoming attached to each other accidentally.
• Okazaki Fragment- a section of complimentary
strands of DNA formed when the enzyme DNA
Ligase is present.
• DNA Ligase- an enzyme that “stitches” a new
complimentary strand of DNA called an
okazaki fragment.
• Telomerase- an enzyme that helps a cell
maintain the length of their telomeres.
63. In My Own Words… (Continued)
• Cancer- expresses the enzyme
telomerase, which helps a tumor to grow.
• Transplanted Cells- cells that have been
taken, added to, and then given back
• Cloning- taking a piece of something and
making another copy
• Aging- the steady shrinking of cells in the body
64. Mutations (Mistakes)
• If there are any mistakes while replicating
DNA, it will result in the mutation of a gene. An
organism can only have up to 3 mutations, or it
cannot live. Sometimes, mutations are minor,
while other times, they can change one’s
whole genetic makeup. For example, a
mutation can result in the crossing over of a
21st chromosome, resulting in one having
Down’s Syndrome.