DNA replication

What is dna replication?

DNA replication is the process by which a cell copies its DNA before division. The double helix unwinds at a replication fork. Each strand serves as a template; DNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides (A-T, G-C). The leading strand is synthesised continuously; the lagging strand is built in Okazaki fragments. The result is two identical double helices, each with one original (parent) strand and one new (daughter) strand — hence 'semi-conservative'. Demonstrated by Meselson and Stahl in 1958.