DNA Replication Fork

**Semantic type:** Chemical Viewed Structurally

**Definition:** DNA replication is a process that allows two new double helixes of DNA to be created from one double helix. During replication, Y-shaped regions of replicating DNA molecules are mobilized, where the enzymes replicating a DNA molecule bind to an untwisted, single DNA strand. This Y-shaped region is referred to as a replication fork. Bacteria and viruses only process one replication fork at a time, while eukaryotic DNA has many replication forks moving along DNA strands at the same time.