DNA Replication Reading Name: _____________

Underline new terms as you read. Talking to the text is optional.

On the back of this sheet, summarize each of the 4 steps with 2 sentences and 1 diagram.
(8 sentences and 4 diagrams total!)

When the double helix structure of DNA was first Step 3: Once a DNA polymerase has begun adding
discovered, scientists were very excited about the nucleotides to a growing double helix, the protein
complementary relationship between the sequences remains attached until all of the DNA has been
of nucleotides. They predicted that the copied and it is signaled to detach. This process
complementary structure was used as the basis to produces 2 DNA molecules, each composed of a
make exact copies of the DNA each time a cell new and an original strand. The nucleotide
divided. Watson and Crick, the dudes who sequences in both of these DNA molecules are
discovered the structure of DNA, proposed that one identical to each other and to the original DNA
DNA strand serves as a template, or pattern, on molecule.
which the other strand is built. Within five years of
Step 4 - Checking for errors: In the course of
the discovery of DNA structure, scientists had firm
DNA replication, errors sometimes occur and the
evidence that the complementary strands of the
wrong nucleotide is added to the new strand. An
double helix do indeed serve as templates for
important feature of DNA replication is that DNA
building DNA.
polymerases have a “proof-reading” role; they can
The process of making a copy of DNA is called add nucleotides to a growing strand only if the
DNA replication. Recall that DNA replication previous nucleotide is correctly paired to its
occurs during the synthesis (S) phase of the cell complementary base. In the event of a mismatched
cycle, before a cell divides. nucleotide, DNA polymerase is capable of
backtracking, removing the incorrect nucleotide and
Step 1: Before DNA replication can begin, the
replacing it with the correct one. This proofreading
double helix unwinds. This is accomplished by
prevents most errors in DNA replication. Indeed,
proteins called DNA helicases, which open the
only 1 error per 1 billion nucleotides typically
double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds that
occurs.
link the complementary nitrogen bases between the
2 strands. Once the 2 strands are separated,
additional proteins attach to each strand, holding
them apart and preventing them from twisting
back into their double helical shape. The 2 areas
on either end of the DNA where the double helix
separates are called replication forks because of
their Y shape.

Step 2: At the replication fork, proteins known

as DNA polymerases move along each of the
DNA strands, adding nucleotides to the exposed
nitrogen bases, according to the base-pairing
rules. As the DNA polymerases move along, 2
new double helixes are formed.

Modified from: Johnson and Raven. Biology. Princeton University Press: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 2001. Pp 196-197.