biology / Genetics & Information / free

DNA Replication

Unzip a strand and follow the rules that copy its information.

Follow the mechanism1 / 3

A template strand is exposed. Opening a local fork reveals bases whose sequence carries the information for a new strand.

replication forkcomplementary pairing

Focus the idea

copied2 / 5

next pairG–C

ruleA–T / G–C

checkmatched

Move replication fork 2 / 5

The fork has copied 2 of 5 positions. The next template base G constrains the new base to C.

Each original strand acts as a template. Complementary pairing preserves information, while proofreading catches some copying errors instead of assuming every first pass is perfect.

Guided journey

Follow the mechanism.

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01 / Open a local fork

The double helix separates in a small region, exposing two template strands.

What changes next: The sequence can be read without unzipping the entire molecule.

04 / PRACTICE

Make the biology yours.

0 / 3 checked

Answer from the model, then use the explanation to connect the visual mechanism to the biological rule.

CHECK 1 / 3