Step 1 of DNA replication
Step 1 of DNA replication is the unwinding and separation of the double-stranded DNA molecule
Step 1 of DNA replication is the unwinding and separation of the double-stranded DNA molecule. This process is initiated by an enzyme called helicase, which recognizes specific DNA sequences known as replication origins and binds to them.
Once bound, helicase uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to break the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, causing the two strands to separate and form a replication fork. The replication fork is a Y-shaped structure where the two DNA strands continue to unwind in opposite directions.
In addition to helicase, other proteins called single-strand binding proteins (SSBPs) bind to the separated DNA strands to prevent them from reannealing or forming stable secondary structures. These SSBPs stabilize the single-stranded DNA and create a suitable template for DNA synthesis.
Overall, the unwinding and separation of the DNA molecule at the replication origin is a critical step in DNA replication as it allows for the subsequent synthesis of new complementary strands and the accurate transmission of genetic information during cell division.
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