The Process of DNA Replication

DNA replication process The DNA replication process plays an important role in providing genetic continuity from one generation to the next. The structural knowledge of DNA began with the discovery of nucleic acids in 1869. In 1952, Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick's research suggested an accurate DNA molecule model. For breeding, the cells must replicate and transfer their genetic information (DNA) to all descendants. For this purpose, the DNA replicates after the semi-conservative replication process.

During each cell division, the cells must replicate their chromosomal DNA through a process called DNA replication. The repetitive DNA is then separated into two "sub" cells that inherit the same genetic information. This process is called chromosome segregation. Since DNA is a repository of genetic information, DNA replication and separation must be achieved with extremely high fidelity. Failure of these processes can lead to mutations and chromosomal rearrangements that also lead to disease and even death (Abraham 2001; Kastan & Bartek 2004).

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is organized in a long structure called chromosome. Prior to typical cell division, these chromosomes are replicated during DNA replication and provide a complete set of chromosomes for each daughter cell. Eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, protists) store most of the DNA in the nucleus and store part of the DNA in cellular organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. In contrast, prokaryotes (bacteria and archaebacteria) store only DNA in the cytoplasm. In eukaryotic chromosomes, chromatin proteins such as histones are tight and organize DNA. These compact structures help guide the interaction between DNA and other proteins and control which parts of DNA are transcribed.