Example Peer Response

Thomas,

Research:
When we consider this topic of DNA replication, we should first take a step back and consider
the function of the nucleus of the cell. The nucleus, a cellular organelle, contains the cell’s
genetic information. The nucleus is centrally located within the cell. The nucleus is responsible
for directing the cellular activity of the cell. This function includes synthesizing new molecules
such as proteins and nucleic acids. It is the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) within the nucleus that
regulates protein synthesis. Some DNA can also be found within the mitochondria. This is a
good place to point out that all cells will have a nucleus at some point in their lifetime, but not
their entire lives. Do red blood cells have a nucleus? No. A red blood cells (RBCs) are also
known as erythrocytes. RBCs do not replicate during their lifetime, so there is no need for a
nucleus as the cell is recycled as it reaches the end of its lifespan, which is approximately 120
days (Seeley et al., 2014).

Critical Thinking:
We must consider the amount of time it takes for the cell cycle to occur. How long does this
actually take? There is an interphase and the mitotic phase. The interphase accounts for most of
the time in the cell cycle, while the mitotic, or M-phase, is the last step in the process. The M-
phase may be the most important last step when the cell divides to create two daughter cells.
Here is a video on DNA replication that I used to study. I hope it helps you. It shows how both
strands of the DNA helix are unzipped and copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKWgcFPHqw

I went to this website and found so many more DNA videos! Here’s a question: Okazaki
fragments, what are these?

https://www.yourgenome.org/topic/in-the-cell

Word count 297

References
Seeley, R., VanPutte, C. L., Regan, J. L., & Russo, A. F. (2014). Seeley’s anatomy &
physiology (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

yourgenome (n.d.). In the cell. Your genome. https://www.yourgenome.org/topic/in-the-cell

yourgenome. (2015, June 26). DNA replication - 3D [Video].
YouTube. https://youtu.be/TNKWgcFPHqw