What is DNA replication? Describe the process of DNA replication in prokaryotes.?

DNA Replication Overview

DNA replication is the biological process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring genetic information is passed to daughter cells. In prokaryotes, this process occurs in the cytoplasm and is relatively straightforward.

Key Steps in Prokaryotic DNA Replication:

1. Initiation:

- Begins at the origin of replication (oriC in E. coli).

- The enzyme helicase unwinds the double helix, creating replication forks.

2. Elongation:

- DNA polymerase III synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.

- Leading strand is synthesized continuously, while the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments.

3. Termination:

- Replication ends when the replication forks meet.

- The enzyme DNA ligase seals gaps between Okazaki fragments.

This precise mechanism ensures accurate DNA duplication, vital for cellular function and reproduction (Baker et al., 2019).