1.4.3. The replication fork

1.4.3. The replication fork

  • The replication fork is a structure that forms within the nucleus during DNA replication.
  • It is created by helicases, which break the hydrogen bonds holding the two DNA strands together.
  • The resulting structure has two branching "prongs", each one made up of a single strand of DNA.
  • These two strands serve as the template for the leading and lagging strands which will be created as DNA polymerase matches complementary nucleotide s to the templates.
  • The templates may be properly referred to as the leading strand template and the lagging strand template.
Last modified: Tuesday, 19 June 2012, 7:13 AM