DNA replication

Paper 2
pg 11 - 15
Definition:
• The process by which DNA makes an exact
copy of itself is called DNA replication.
Where does it occur?
• DNA replication occurs before cell division
begins.
• This means it occurs at the start of both
mitosis and meiosis.
• It occurs during interphase.
Significance of DNA replication
• During DNA replication the DNA makes an exact copy of
itself.
• This means that there are identical copies of the
chromosomes within the cell.
• Now there double the amount of chromosomes, so that it
can be shared between the 2 cells during cell division.
• This means that the nucleus can split into 2 so that each
half has exactly the same number of chromosomes as
each other.
* DNA replication ensures that identical
cells are produced at the end of mitosis.
* It also ensures that these cells are
identical to the parent cell from which
they were formed.
* This is possible because they arose from
identical copies of the chromosomes.
The Process of DNA
Replication Parent DNA

• The original DNA

molecule is called
the parent DNA.
• The DNA molecule unwinds.

• The weak hydrogen bonds between the

nitrogen bases break.

• Forming 2 single strands of DNA.

• These strands acts as a template for the

formation of a new strand of DNA.
 Template for new DNA

Ladder like structure

DNA Replication after weak

hydrogen bonds have broken
* There are free nucleotides found in the
nucleoplasm.
* These nucleotides attach to the
complementary bases, so that adenine joins
with thymine and guanine joins with cytosine.
• These new strands are called the daughter
strands.

• Each strand is identical to each other and to the

parent strand.

• The entire process is controlled by enzymes

called DNA polymerase.
Provide
labels/
descriptions
for number
1 to 5.
1. DNA unwinds
2. Hydrogen bonds break
3. Each strand become a template
4. Complementary bases pair, form
complementary strands
5. Two identical copies, daughter
strands
2.1.1 DNA replication
2.1.2 During interphase/between cell division/
before cell division/before mitosis/before
meiosis.
2.1.3 1 – guanine 2 – cytosine
2.1.4 RNA is single stranded/ RNA has uracil
instead of thymine/RNA sugar is ribose/ RNA
has shorter strands. (any 2)