DNA replication steps

step 1

the origin of replication is the site where DNA replication begins

step 2

Dna helicase recognizes this site and unwinds the DNA forming a “replication bubble” and a “replication fork”

step 3

RNA primase adds small pieces of RNA to unwound DNA

step 4

DNA polymerase 3 adds new DNA nucleotides to the RNA primer pieces at the free 3’ end of DNA (it proofreads for mistakes and corrects them)

step 5

leading strand is made continuously in the direction of the unwinding of DNA

step 6

lagging strand (okazaki fragments) is made discontinuously away from the unwinding

step 7

DNA polymerase 1 replaces the RNA primer pieces with new DNA nucleotides

step 8

DNA ligase binds the okazaki fragments together