DNA replication produces two identical DNA strands from one original DNA strand. The DNA unwinds and separates, with binding proteins holding the strands apart. As the replication fork moves along the DNA, DNA polymerase synthesizes a new complementary strand. On the leading strand, DNA is synthesized continuously. On the lagging strand, RNA primers initiate short Okazaki fragments that are later joined by DNA ligase to form a continuous strand. After replication, two identical DNA double helices exist to maintain the genetic information during cell division.

1. DNA Replication
By Kyle Yoho

2. DNA Replication
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Adenine
Thymine
cytosine
Guanine
The helix is unwinding and splitting the DNA strand.
DNA strand
Nucleotides
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Helicase
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
sugar
Phosphate

3. DNA Replication
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Adenine
Thymine
DNA strand
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
cytosine
Guanine
Nucleotides
Binding proteins hold the separating DNA into a
stable position so it doesn't’t fold back on itself and
become destroyed.

4. DNA Replication
Leading strand
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Adenine
Thymine
DNA strand
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
cytosine
Guanine
Nucleotides
The lead strand of DNA gets synthesized by
DNA polymerase to form one whole DNA strand.

5. DNA Replication
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Adenine
Thymine
DNA strand
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
cytosine
Guanine
Nucleotides
The RNA primer forms Okazaki fragments which
are formed the opposite way to the leading DNA strand
to be used for making another whole DNA strand.

6. DNA Replication
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Adenine
Thymine
DNA strand
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
cytosine
Guanine
Nucleotides
The Okazaki fragments get connected to the
nucleotides through ligase.

7. DNA Replication
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3
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Thymine
DNA strand
RNA primer
Okazaki fragment
Binding Proteins
Replication fork
G
C
A
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T
C
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C
G
A
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G
C
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A
3
G
C
5
3
Adenine
3
cytosine
Guanine
Nucleotides
After DNA replication takes place two identical DNA
strands exist.
The importance of DNA replication is so that when
a DNA cell dies it can be replaced with another exact copy so the body
can maintain a steady blood level. Also it helps with the transfer of traits.
If a mutation occurs the wrong base pairs have connected together in the
DNA molecule. This can cause many health problems like cancer. It also adds
to the aging of cells causes more mutations to occur. Also mitosis occurs after
DNA replication. There is also DNA ligase that are important because they help
Form a permanent bond in the lagging strand because the form the Okazaki
fragment to the other nucleotides giving it the proper bases their pairs.