DNA Replication

As we understand it, the structure of a DNA fragment would be
. . S represents the deoxy-ribose sugar (C5H10O4)
. . P represents the phosphate (PO4)
. . the pluses (+) and minuses (-) represent hydrogen bonds

DNA fragment
5'- 3'-
P
S T - + A S
+ -
P P
S G - + C S
+ -
+ -
P P
S C - + G S
- +
+ -
P P
S A - + T S
+ -
P P
S T - + A S
+ -
P P
S G - + C S
+ -
+ -
P
3'- 5'-

The first step in replication is to separate the two strands,
then assemble the "missing" strand from the 5'-end toward the 3'-end

DNA fragment | DNA fragment
5'- | 3'-
P | | P
S T A S | S T A S
P P | P P
S G C S | S G C S
P P | P P
S C G S | S C G S
P P | P P
S A T S | S A T S
P P | P P
S T A S | S T A S
P P | P P
S G C S | S G C S
P | | P
3'- | 5'-

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© 2004 Prof. LaFrance, Ancilla College