Name _____________________________ Date __________ Hour __________
DNA Replication Coloring Worksheet
Each time a new cell is made, the cell must receive an exact copy of the parent
cell DNA. The new cells then receive the instructions and information needed to
function. The process of copying DNA is called replication. Replication occurs in
a unique way – instead of copying a complete new strand of DNA, the process
“saves” or conserves one of the original strand. For this reason, replication is
called semi-conservative. First, the enzyme helicase “unzips” the DNA strand.
Next, the enzyme polymerase adds new nucleotides to begin building a new
strand of DNA. Lastly, when replication is finished, two identical strands of DNA
are produced. Each has half old DNA and half new DNA.
Color the replication model on the second page. Note the nucleotides are shown
as their 3 parts – sugar (blue), phosphate (pink) and the four bases (color
codes are below). Notice that several nucleotides are floating around, they are
waiting to pair up with their match. Color those as well.
Color the thymines orange.
Color the guanines purple.
Color the adenines green.
Color the cytosines yellow.
The boxed section shows two new strands of DNA. Color the old strand
(including its bases) red and the new strand (including its bases) green.
LABEL THE BASES, ONE SUGAR, AND ONE PHOSPHATE.
Questions:
1. What is Replication?
2. Why is DNA Replication called semi-conservative?
3. What happens first during DNA replication?
4. Which enzyme unzips the DNA strands?
5. What happens second during DNA replication?
6. Which enzyme adds new nucleotides to begin building a new strand of
DNA?
7. How many strands of DNA are produced at the end of replication?
8. What do the strands produced look like?
Name _____________________________ Date __________ Hour __________
Name _____________________________ Date __________ Hour __________