Once the process of DNA replication begins, the DNA strands are unwound by special enzymes, like a zipper slowly unzipping. This exposes the nucleotide bases. Then, another enzyme called DNA polymerase attaches new nucleotides, matching them to the exposed bases on each strand. This forms two new complementary strands of DNA. Finally, the two identical DNA molecules are created, each composed of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
Once inside the nucleus of a cell, DNA replication begins. The two strands of the DNA molecule separate, like a zipper being undone. Enzymes called DNA helicases unwind the double helix structure, creating two separate template strands. Building blocks called nucleotides are then added to each template strand. These nucleotides are assembled in a complementary manner, following the base pairing rules (A with T, and C with G). Enzymes called DNA polymerases connect the nucleotides together, creating two complete copies of the original DNA molecule. Each new DNA molecule has one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand. The process concludes by the DNA strands re-zipping, resulting in two identical copies of the original DNA molecule.
