logo
AAT Bioquest

What are the similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication?

Posted May 16, 2022


Answer

Despite the many differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication, there are also several similarities between them. These are some of the similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication: 

  • Both processes occur before nuclear division
  • Both processes involve double-stranded DNA
  • Both are multi-step processes carried by DNA polymerases
  • RNA primers are necessary for initiation of both processes
  • The RNA primer in both processes is synthesized by the enzyme primase
  • DNA helicase is responsible for DNA unwinding in both processes
  • Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSB) stabilize the unwound DNA strands in both processes
  • Both DNA replication processes occur in 5’ to 3’ direction
  • Both are bi-directional as the replications progress in both ways
  • Leading and lagging strands are formed in both types of replications
  • In both DNA replications, small DNA fragments called Okazaki fragments are formed by the lagging strand
Additional resources

Eukaryotic chromosome DNA replication: where, when, and how?

Helixyte™ Green Fluorimetric dsDNA Quantitation Kit *Optimized for Broad Dynamic Range*