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DNA replication. Ch. 11.1. Before a cell can divide by mitosis or meiosis it must first make a copy of its chromosomes This process is called DNA replication DNA is composed of 2 strands containing a sequence of nucleotides
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DNA replication Ch. 11.1
Before a cell can divide by mitosis or meiosis it must first make a copy of its chromosomes • This process is called DNA replication • DNA is composed of 2 strands containing a sequence of nucleotides • During replication, each strand serves as a pattern to make a new DNA molecule
Begins as an enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds between nitrogen bases that hold the 2 strands together, thus unzipping the DNA molecule • As DNA unzips, nucleotides that are floating free in the surrounding area bond to the single strands by base pairing. • Another enzyme bonds these new nucleotides into a chain
Process continues until the entire molecule has been unzipped and replicated • Each new strand formed is a complement of one of the original strands • Result is the formation of 2 DNA molecules identical to the original DNA molecule