Replication fork

Replication Fork

The Replication fork is a structure that forms within the nucleus during DNA replication. It is created by helicases, which break the hydrogen bonds holding the two DNA strands together. The resulting structure has two branching "prongs", each one made up of a single strand of DNA. These single strands serve as templates for replication.

Structure and Function[edit | edit source]

The replication fork is a very important part of the DNA replication process. It is where the DNA molecule is opened up, or "unzipped", so that the DNA polymerase can read the sequence of the DNA and create a complementary strand. The replication fork moves down the DNA molecule, unzipping the double helix as it goes.

The replication fork is not a permanent structure. It is constantly moving during the replication process, and it disappears when replication is complete. However, it is crucial for the replication process, as it is the site where the DNA molecule is opened up and the new DNA strands are synthesized.

Replication Process[edit | edit source]

The replication process begins when the helicase enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs of the DNA molecule. This causes the DNA to "unzip", forming the replication fork. The single-stranded DNA at the replication fork is then bound by single-strand DNA-binding proteins to prevent the DNA from re-forming a double helix.

Next, the DNA polymerase enzyme begins synthesizing a new strand of DNA using the single-stranded DNA at the replication fork as a template. The DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to the 3' end of the DNA, so the new DNA strand is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction.

On the leading strand, DNA replication is continuous. On the lagging strand, DNA replication is discontinuous, with short fragments of DNA, known as Okazaki fragments, being synthesized and then joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Replication fork Resources
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