Step 1: Initiation
- DNA double helix is unzipped by DNA helicase.
- The separation of the DNA strands creates a ‘Y’ shape replication ‘fork’.
- These two separated strands will act as templates for making new DNA strand.
- The leading strand is oriented in the 3’ to 5’ direction (towards the replication fork).
- The lagging strand is oriented in the 5’ to 3’ direction (away from the replication fork).
- As a result of their different orientations, the two strands are replicated differently.
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Transcript
DNA double helix is unzipped by DNA helicase.
The separation of the DNA strands creates a ‘Y’ shape replication ‘fork’.
These two separated strands will act as templates for making new DNA strand.
The leading strand is oriented in the 3’ to 5’ direction (towards the replication fork).
The lagging strand is oriented in the 5’ to 3’ direction (away from the replication fork).
As a result of their different orientations, the two strands are replicated differently.