DNA replication & "Duons"

DNA replication & "Duons"

DNA carries the information for making all of the cell's proteins. These pro­teins implement all of the functions of a living organism and determine the organism'­s characteristics. When the cell reproduces, it has to pass all of this information on to the daughter cells.

Before a cell can reproduce, it must first replicate, or make a copy of, its DNA. Where DNA replication occurs depends upon whether the cells is a prokaryote or a eukaryote. DNA replication occurs in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes and in the nucleus of eukaryotes. Regardless of where DNA replication occurs, the basic process is the same.

The structure of DNA lends itself easily to DNA replication. Each side of the double helix runs in opposite (anti-parallel) directions. The beauty of this structure is that it can unzip down the middle and each side can serve as a pattern or template for the other side (called semi-conservative replication). However, DNA does not unzip entirely. It unzips in a small area called a replication fork, which then moves down the entire length of the molecule.

Sources and further reading:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/dna3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_replication

Duon is something we already knew about
Anyways, your DNA contains the information that creates proteins. It also contains the information that regulates which genes get expressed and how proteins get made. A recent press release, announcing the findings of an article published in the journal Science, has presented this dual function as something mind-blowingly new. Well..it's not.This study only adds some color to a painting we've already seen." 

You might want to read Emily Willingham article about this:
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/12/13/dont-be-duped-by-duon-dna-hype/

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