replikaatiohaarukkat
Replikaatiohaarukkat, often translated as replication fork, refers to the Y-shaped structure that forms during DNA replication. This structure is the site where the double-stranded DNA molecule separates into two single strands, serving as a template for the synthesis of new complementary strands. The process is initiated by enzymes called helicases, which unwind the DNA helix, breaking the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
As the helicase moves along the DNA, the unwound strands are stabilized by single-strand binding proteins to
The other new strand, the lagging strand, is synthesized discontinuously in short fragments called Okazaki fragments.