Process of DNA Replication

Helicase

An enzyme that breaks hydrogen bonds between the two strands of DNA, allowing them to separate.

Replication bubble

A structure formed when single-strand binding proteins keep DNA strands separated during replication.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides in the 5’ to 3’ direction using a template strand.

RNA primers

Short segments of RNA synthesized by primase that initiate DNA synthesis by providing a starting point for DNA polymerase.

Okazaki fragments

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication due to discontinuous synthesis.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that seals the gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand, forming a continuous DNA strand.

Topoisomerase

An enzyme that prevents supercoiling of DNA as the strands separate during replication.