REPLICATION
by Arthur W. Siebens, Ph.D., Copyright 1999
(to the tune of "Oklahoma," by Oscar Hammerstein II, and Richard Rogers)

Re-plication when DNA's copied in S-phase
Initiator proteins start, the strands are pushed apart
At the origin of replication, yeah!

Now, helicase- opens the fork, for (RNA) primase to prime with RNA
Then replication starts, (DNA) polymerase does its part
Builds from 5' to 3' all the way.

Now the leading strand's a piece of cake
Thousands of base pairs without a break.

Topoisomerases-nick
Single strands don't-stick
Single-strand binding proteins keep things stable
Replication's got tricks!

The lagging strand- is harder-how it works was found by Okazaki
It's built from 5(') to 3('), in short pieces, you see
From RNA (primers) then DNA-it's wacky!

The RNA-'s then cut out and replaced with DNA
Ends are joined by ligase, RNA's erased
And you're left with double-stranded DNA.

Now, replication's got other steps
Got to copy it right-can't be inept!

(DNA) polymerase- proofs
Repair enzymes replace- goofs
You're not mutated? Just thank replication
Replication made you!