I love the fact that the term dnA replication refers to DNA replication as well as the replication of nucleic acids. Since prokaryotes use RNA as the genetic material, the term dna replication accurately describes the replication of nucleic acids.
Well, you could call replication of nucleic acids the “replication of chromosomes” or “chromosome replication.” Of course, if you prefer, you could just call it “DNA replication.” I prefer to call the process that replicates nucleic acids the “DNA replication cycle” because that is what we were taught about it at school.
Basically, a DNA replication cycle is an enzyme-driven mechanism that creates new genetic material from the same source at the same time, in exactly the same way, and without the need for protein synthesis. When new genetic material is synthesized, it is copied back into the same original source.
This mechanism is a little different than the DNA replication cycle that is used by all eukaryotes, which is why it is also called eukaryogenesis. The eukaryotic DNA replication cycle is the process that is used by all prokaryotes (except for those that are not protists) and is called meiosis.
The term ‘prokaryote’ comes from the Greek words “pro (meaning ‘for’) and karyon (meaning ‘race’).” It’s the exact same thing as ‘eukaryote’ but comes from another source. The same can be said for the terms ‘prokaryote’ and ‘eukaryote.
The two processes are not even closely related. My understanding is that prokaryotes are eukaryotes that are single-celled organisms. That is, they only have one cell nucleus. Eukaryotes have two nuclei, which they share with other eukaryotes.
Well, if they’re single-celled, then the two processes could be a result of independent mutagenesis. In other words, each is a result of two independent events. That means that dna replication in prokaryotes is either just random mutation or is a controlled process, and both aren’t the same.
I can only speak for eukaryotes, but it seems to me that there’s more to it. I’d have to check the original posts to be sure, but the terms “dna replication” and “controlled process” probably don’t apply to viruses, which are also single-celled. It would be interesting to know whether controlled mechanisms in viruses are as random as they are in prokaryotes.
That’s true. Viruses are also so simple in comparison to bacteria and eukaryotes, they don’t need a control mechanism to replicate. However, I can see the possibility that viruses might not replicate at all. If they do, there is no way to control them. Maybe they just go dormant until the right time or something. They would have to be a whole lot simpler to do that than bacteria and eukaryotes.
In bacteria there is a single cell called a prokaryote. Each cell has a nucleus and DNA that is replicated once in each cell. In prokaryotes, each cell has its own DNA, and sometimes there is a process of division called mitosis, which divides a cell into two identical cells. In some bacteria, for example, each cell is divided into two identical cells. That cell then divides again and again to make four, eight, and sixteen identical cells.
