DNA replication

Strand of the helix separate as a result of hydrate bonds breakage. Each chain become a template for synthesis. DNA replication is semiconservative, the new helix consist of one old and one new strand. Addition of nucleotides to the synthesized chain is catalyzed by an enzyme polymerase. For the replication to start presence of a short fragment of nucleic acid called primer is necessary. Polymerase adds succeeding nucleotides to the primer.

Mechanism of DNA replication explains how mutations are inherited by the next generation.