The Role of Enzymes in DNA Replication

• The cell produces many free nucleotides for DNA replication. They are
deoxyriboside triphosphates.
2 phosphates are removed during replication to release energy.

• Helicase enzyme uncoils the DNA double helix and splits it into two template
strands/ (Break the hydrogen bonds between the bases)

• RNA primase adds a short length of RNA to the template strand of DNA. This
acts as a primer, allowing DNA polymerase to bind and begin replication. Very
important in the lagging strand

• DNA polymerase III adds nucleotides in a 5’ to 3’ direction. (DNA

polymerase III can only attach to the 3’ end of the original strand)

• One strand is copied continuously “leading” strand

• The other is copied in sections “lagging” strand
• DNA polymerase III starts replicating next to the RNA primer and adds
nucleotides in a 5’ to 3’ direction.
• On the lagging strand, short lengths of DNA are formed between the RNA
primer called Okazaki fragments.
• DNA polymerase I removes the RNA primer and replaces it with DNA.
• DNA ligase seals up the leading and lagging strands.

Result should be two copies of DNA exactly the same as the original strand.