DNA Replication: A Visual Explainer
A single clean diagram showing how a cell copies its DNA strand-by-strand before dividing, from unwinding the helix to sealing two identical new molecules.
📌 Revision Pointers
Helicase unwinds the double helix at the origin, forming a Y-shaped replication fork.
Primase lays down RNA primers; DNA polymerase then builds the leading strand continuously and the lagging strand in Okazaki fragments.
DNA ligase seals the fragments, producing two identical DNA molecules — each with one old and one new strand (semi-conservative replication).
Trace the four-step journey of semi-conservative DNA replication, from the helicase unwinding the double helix to DNA ligase sealing the final strands.
💭 Conclusion
Semi-conservative replication is a high-yield NCERT Biology concept frequently tested in UPSC Prelims and GS Paper III (Science & Technology).