DNA Replication

1
DNA Replication
2

• Every time a cell divides, the chromosomes (DNA)
  duplicate themselves during interphase.
• This occurs in the nucleus of the cell.
• Because the hydrogen bonds that hold the bases
  together (A to T C to G) are weak, they can
  easily be broken.

3

• For the DNA molecule to replicate (duplicate),
  the hydrogen bonds are first broken and the DNA
  molecule unzips.
• Free nucleotides come in and form complements of
  each side of the original DNA molecule.

4
Original DNA strand
Free nucleotides form complement
5
Semi-Conservative Replication
6

• The result is two identical copies of DNA.
• DNA replication is extremely important in mitosis
  so that the two daughter cells contain exactly
  the same information as the parent cell.