- The DNA molecule is unwinding and the hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs are breaking, separating the double helix into two single strands. This creates a replication fork where the strands are exposed for copying.
- Free nucleotides in the nucleus pair with their complementary bases on each of the original DNA strands according to base-pairing rules (A with T, C with G). Enzymes facilitate this pairing, building new complementary strands alongside each original strand.
- The newly formed nucleotide chains are joined together by enzymes to form complete sugar-phosphate backbones, resulting in two identical double-stranded DNA molecules. Each new molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, demonstrating semi-conservative replication.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of dna molecule and replication worksheet.
