Deoxyribonucleic Acid

DNA

In this report I will be describing what DNA replication is and how it relates to the DNA polymerase enzyme. DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. It is molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. Polymerase is an enzyme that’s central biological function is the synthesis of polymers of nucleic acids.

DNA transports the information for making the cell's proteins. These proteins implement functions of a living organism and control the organism'­s characteristics. A cell has to replicate before it can produce. When this occurs depends upon whether the cells are a prokaryote or a eukaryote. Replication occurs in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes and in the nucleus of eukaryotes. The basic process is the same regardless of where DNA replication occurs.

The structure of DNA provides itself easily to DNA replication. Each side of the double helix runs in opposed directions. The structure can open down the middle and each side can serve as a pattern for the other side. The part of DNA polymerase in DNA replication is to read a DNA strand and use it as a pattern to create a copy of the strand. The new strand is matching and complimentary to the first strand.

A DNA polymerase is a cellular polymerase enzyme that creates DNA molecules from their nucleotide building blocks. DNA polymerases are needed for DNA replication, and usually work in pairs while copying one double-stranded DNA molecule into two double-stranded DNAs. This process is semiconservative DNA replication. DNA polymerases also play key parts in other processes within cells, including DNA repair, genetic recombination, reverse transcription, and the generation of antibody diversity via the specialized DNA polymerase, lethal deoxynucleotidyl transferees.

In conclusion, DNA replication is the process of producing two identical copies from one original DNA molecule. Cells have to replicate before they produce. Replication occurs in...