replication fork

replication fork
a site on a DNA molecule at which unwinding of the helices and synthesis of daughter molecules are both occurring.

Replication fork, showing simultaneous synthesis of both strands; since synthesis occurs in the 5′ to 3′ direction, one strand, the leading strand, can be synthesized continuously while the other, the lagging strand, must be synthesized discontinuously in short fragments (Okazaki fragments) that are later joined.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • replication fork — noun (biology) The site of simultaneous unwinding of duplex DNA and synthesis of new DNA • • • Main Entry: ↑replicate …   Useful english dictionary

  • Replication fork — The replication fork is a structure that forms during DNA replication. It is created by helicases, which break the hydrogen bonds holding the two DNA strands together. The resulting structure has two branching prongs , each one made up of a… …   Wikipedia

  • replication fork — Point at which DNA strands are separated in preparation for replication. Replication forks thus move along the DNA as replication proceeds …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • replication fork — Y shaped structure associated with DNA replication. It represents the point at which the strands of double stranded DNA are separated so that replication can proceed …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • replication fork — The Y shaped structure where DNA is replicated. The arms of the Y contain template strand and a newly synthesized DNA copy …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • Replication de l'ADN — Réplication de l ADN La réplication est le processus au cours duquel l ADN est synthétisé grâce à l ADN polymérase. Ce mécanisme permet à l’ADN d être dupliqué (donc doublé ). Puisque les deux chaînes de l ADN parental se séparent et que deux… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Réplication de l'adn — La réplication est le processus au cours duquel l ADN est synthétisé grâce à l ADN polymérase. Ce mécanisme permet à l’ADN d être dupliqué (donc doublé ). Puisque les deux chaînes de l ADN parental se séparent et que deux nouvelles molécules sont …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Réplication de l'ADN — La réplication est le processus au cours duquel l ADN est synthétisé grâce à l ADN polymérase. Ce mécanisme permet à l’ADN d être dupliqué (donc doublé). Puisque les deux chaînes de l ADN parental se séparent et que deux nouvelles molécules sont… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Replication — A turning back, repetition, duplication, reproduction. * * * 1. The execution of an experiment or study more than once so as to confirm the original findings, increase precision, and obtain a closer estimate of sampling error. 2. Autoreproduction …   Medical dictionary

  • DNA replication — DNA replication. The double helix is unwound and each strand acts as a template for the next strand. Bases are matched to synthesize the new partner strands. DNA replication is a biological process that occurs in all living organisms and copies… …   Wikipedia

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