The two most basic steps of DNA replication are:




A.primase causes primer to bind the template and ligase copies the template.



B.helicase unwinds the template and DNA polymerase binds the template.



C.leading strand is copied first and lagging strand is copied second.



D.the new strand is denatured and a template is synthesized.



E.the template is denatured and a new strand is synthesized.

The two most basic steps of DNA replication are:

B. Helicase unwinds the template and DNA polymerase binds the template.
and
C. Leading strand is copied first and lagging strand is copied second.

To understand these steps, let's break them down:

B. Helicase unwinds the template and DNA polymerase binds the template:
In DNA replication, the first step is the unwinding of the DNA double helix. This is done by an enzyme called helicase. Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two strands of DNA, causing the double helix to separate into two individual strands. This creates a replication fork where the two strands separate. Once the DNA is unwound, DNA polymerase binds to the template strand.

C. Leading strand is copied first and lagging strand is copied second:
After the DNA is unwound and DNA polymerase binds to the template strand, DNA replication can begin. The leading strand is the strand that is synthesized continuously in the same direction as the replication fork moves. DNA polymerase moves along the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes a new complementary strand in the 5' to 3' direction. This is called the leading strand because it can be synthesized continuously.

On the other hand, the lagging strand is synthesized in small fragments called Okazaki fragments. The lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction of the replication fork movement, so DNA polymerase must work in a discontinuous manner. As the replication fork moves, short stretches of RNA called primers are synthesized by an enzyme called primase, and then DNA polymerase comes in and extends the primers by adding nucleotides. This process is repeated multiple times, resulting in the synthesis of multiple Okazaki fragments. Finally, an enzyme called ligase stitches the Okazaki fragments together to form a continuous lagging strand.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. Helicase unwinds the template and DNA polymerase binds the template, and C. Leading strand is copied first and lagging strand is copied second.

The correct answer is B. helicase unwinds the template and DNA polymerase binds the template.