Chapter 6, Problem 8Q

Summary Introduction

To evaluate: The minimum number of origins of replication a human cell must have to replicate its DNA once every 24 hours, if the speed of DNA replication is 100 nucleotides per second.

Concept introduction: Replication begins at certain locations on DNA known as origins of replication. Since DNA strands are antiparallel so, during DNA replication, one strand runs in the direction of replication fork (5′-3′), is continuous, and is referred as the leading strand. The other strand is made in fragments known as Okazaki fragments and is known as the lagging strand. Further, RNA primers are removed and gaps are filled with DNA by DNA polymerase I enzyme. The gaps between fragments of DNA are connected by DNA ligase enzyme.