DNA Replication

The process of replicating DNA requires several enzymes and proteins. By separating the process into parts such as Initiation, Elongation and Termination we make it easier to understand.

Initiation
As we all know DNA is in a form of a double helix, so before replication begins we have to first unwind that double helix. To unwind the DNA we use the enzyme Helikase. As soon as the DNA become unwound they also become single-stranded. When DNA is single stranded they become weak and can break easily. This is when singe stranded binding protiens come in to stabilize the DNA. Lastly we have the enzyme Gyrase that releases the tension from the DNA.

Elongation
Elongation starts when primase puts down a primer on the DNA. This primer acts as a signal that DNA polymerase can latch onto. In the leading end DNA polymerase III moves across the DNA from 5' to 3' and copies the genetic code from the parent strand. Polymerase I also helps by proofreading the daughter strands code and making sure it matches with the parent strand. However int he lagging end, DNA has to be copied discontinuously. Primase has to put down primers multiple times and Polymerase III has to latch onto those primers and copy genetic code only in small segments.

Termination
During the last step, Termination DNA ligase joins the okasaki fragments and completes the lagging end of the daughter DNA strand.