Semi-conservative Replication

Semi-conservative replication - the replication of DNA to form to new DNA molecules from the original molecule.

1. The DNA helicase enzyme unwinds and unzips the DNA molecule by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases.
2. Both DNA strands act as a template.
3. The DNA polymerase 3 brings in free nucleotides present in the cell nucleus, which base pair with the original strand.
4. The bases are complementary to one another.
5. 2 new DNA molecules form and are linked together by the ligase enzyme which seals back the hydrogen bonds.
6. The DNA polymerase then joins the nucleotides together, forming the sugar-phosphate backbone.
7. The 2 new DNA molecules produced are identical to one another.