DNA replication

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DNA replication is the process by which a a double helix DNA strand is replicated. Most of the time DNA is loosley wound around a protein known as a histone inside the cells nucleus. Before DNA replication the histone is removed and pushed further down the DNA where it is important to maintain that chromatin structure. 

DNA replication occurs in 3 different steps; initation, elongation and termination 

During initiation an enzyme known as DNA helicase unwinds the DNA`s double helix. It does this by breaking down the hydrogen bonds between each of the nucleotides. This results in the production of a replication fork which is almost Y shaped. This acts as a template for DNA replication to take place. It is important to remebr that DNA has a directionality i.e. a leading strand an a lagging strand. The 5` end of DNA has a phopshate group attached where as the 3` end has a (OH) hydroxyl attached. DNA must be…

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