Replikaatiolohkare

Replikaatiolohkare, also known as replication forks, are structures formed during the process of DNA replication. They are temporary structures that allow the DNA double helix to unwind and separate, enabling the synthesis of new DNA strands. Replication forks are dynamic structures that move along the DNA molecule, driven by the action of DNA polymerases and helicases. The unwinding of the DNA helix is facilitated by helicases, which break the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, creating a replication bubble. This bubble is the region where the DNA strands are separated and new strands are synthesized. The replication fork consists of two branches, each containing a leading strand and a lagging strand. The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction, while the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in short fragments called Okazaki fragments. These fragments are later joined together by DNA ligase to form a continuous strand. The replication fork moves bidirectionally, with each fork moving in the 3' to 5' direction relative to the replication bubble. The process of DNA replication is semi-conservative, meaning that each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand. Replication forks play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fidelity of the genetic material, ensuring that each cell receives an accurate copy of the genome during cell division.