DNA replication occurs through a series of steps involving multiple enzymes. It begins at specific regions called origins of replication. The enzyme helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, and single-strand binding proteins (SSBs) stabilize the separated strands. The enzyme primase synthesizes short RNA primers to provide a starting point for DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase then adds nucleotides complementary to the template strand. On the leading strand, replication is continuous, while on the lagging strand, it occurs in short segments called Okazaki fragments. These fragments are joined by DNA ligase. This entire process results in the formation of two identical DNA molecules.
