1. DNA replication is catalyzed by DNA polymerase enzyme
2. DNA polymerase is not a single protein - it is a protein (enzyme) complex
3. Multiple versions of DNA polymerase exist (DNA polymerase I, DNA polymerase III)
4. DNA polymerase needs DNA/RNA primer to start
5. Nucleotides are added by complementary base pairing with template strand
6. Substrates (dNTPs) are hydrolyzed as added, releasing energy for DNA synthesis
7. Enzymatic synthesis of DNA is ALWAYS in 5' to 3' direction - DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing strand