2.2 - DNA replication

• What does the semi-conservative replication of DNA ensure ?

  Genetic continuity between generations of cells
• First stage of replication ?

  Enzyme DNA helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds linking the complementary base pairs in the polynucleotide strands
• Second stage of replication ?

  The double helix unwinds and the 2 strands separate
• Third stage of replication ?

  The strands act as templates to which complementary free nucleotides are attracted to and bind by specific base pairing
• Fourth stage of replication ?

  Adjacent nucleotides are then joined together by condensation reactions by DNA polymerase to form phosphodiester bonds and the missing polynucleotide strand on the 2 original strands
• What is the result of semi-conservative replication ?

  2 identical DNA molecules are formed