1. February 5, 2016
Objective:
To be able to explain and model how DNA replicates
To describe how the structure of DNA relates to how it replicates
Journal: What two scientists are credited with discovering the structure of DNA?

2. DNA Replication

3. Replication Process by which DNA makes an exact copy of itself
Results in 2 identical DNA molecules

4. Discussion Question
Turn to someone next to you and come up with an answer to the following question.
Why would an organism want two identical molecules of DNA?

5. Why replication?? Copies the genetic code
Allow new cells to have exactly the same genetic info as old cells
This is how traits are passed on
Can be used to make new cells

6. How does replication work?
Step 1: Since the genetic code is on the inside of the DNA ladder, the helix must first unwind and unzip using an enzyme called DNA helicase
Forms a replication bubble

7. How Replication Works
Step 2: An enzyme called DNA polymerase then matches up complementary DNA nucleotides with the open ones on each DNA strand

8. How Replication Works
Step 3: DNA polymerase then bonds/glues the sugar and the phosphate to each other forming a complete strand of DNA

9. How Replication Works
Results: Each new DNA strand contains ½ of the original strand and ½ new nucleotides
This is known as semiconservative because each strand has half the old strand.

10. Sites of Replication
Replication occurs at multiple sites along same DNA strand
Human DNA has about 3 billion base pairs
Speeds up the process

11. Animation