DNA replication

This session centers on DNA replication, offering a structured look at the structure and function of DNA, the key steps and enzymes involved in DNA replication and how the process ensures accurate copying of genetic material before cell division. We will discuss the rolls of origins of replication, helicase, DNA polymerase, primase, ligase, and topoisomerases, as well as the formation of the replication fork and synthesis of leading and lagging strands. Additionally, we will highlight the mechanisms that maintain replication fidelity, such as proof reading and DNA repair to preserve genomic stability. DNA replication is the process by which cells copy their genetic material before cell division. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid consists of two strands forming a double helix with complementary base pairing, adenine pairs with thymine, cytosine, with guanine. This complementarity encodes genetic information and underlies replication. Each new DNA molecule contains one parental and one new strand. Replication occurs before mitosis or meiosis, ensuring daughter cells inherit a complete genome and is carried out with high accuracy by enzymes and molecular machines. Replication begins at specific DNA sites called origins of replication. In bacteria, this is a single site called ice, while eukaryotic chromosomes have thousands of origins. Initiator proteins bind to these sites,