Fig. 4: DNA Replication by Complementary Base Pairing: Unwinding by DNA Helicase
Replication begins at a specific site in the DNA called the origin of replication. Unwinding enzymes called DNA helicases cause the two parent DNA strands to unwind and separate from one another in both directions at this site to form two "Y"-shaped replication forks. These replication forks are the actual site of DNA copying. During replication within the fork, helix destabilizing proteins (not shown here) bind to the single-stranded regions preventing the strands from rejoining.

Illustration of DNA Replication by Complementary Base Pairing: Unwinding by DNA Helicase.jpg by Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://cwoer.ccbcmd.edu/science/microbiology/index_gos.html.

Creative Commons License

Last updated: Feb., 2021
Please send comments and inquiries to Dr. Gary Kaiser