DNA Replication (Basic Detail)
Resource Type
Duration
00:01:07Description
This animation shows how one molecule of double-stranded DNA is copied into two molecules of double-stranded DNA.
DNA replication involves an enzyme called helicase that unwinds the double-stranded DNA. Other enzymes then copy each of the two strands. One strand is copied continuously. The other strand is copied in sections. The end result is two double-stranded DNA molecules.
This animation brings the process to life, showing three-dimensional representations of the molecules involved. Depending on students’ backgrounds, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to identify the molecules and describe their interactions.
Key Terms
base, helicase, nucleic acid, nucleotide, strand
Terms of Use
The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS1.A
AP Biology (2019)
IST-1
IB Biology (2016)
2.7
Vision and Change (2009)
CC2