Write a short essay that distinguishes between the terms replication and synthesis, as applied to DNA. Which of the two is most closely allied with the field of biochemistry?

Key Concepts

DNA Replication

DNA replication is the biological process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA. This occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle and involves unwinding the double helix, followed by the synthesis of new complementary strands using existing strands as templates. Enzymes like DNA polymerase play a crucial role in this process, ensuring accuracy and fidelity in the genetic material passed to daughter cells.

DNA Synthesis

DNA synthesis refers to the process of creating new DNA molecules, which can occur during replication or in other contexts such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in laboratory settings. It encompasses the addition of nucleotides to a growing DNA strand, facilitated by enzymes. While replication is a specific type of synthesis, DNA synthesis can also include the construction of DNA from scratch, such as in synthetic biology applications.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. It encompasses the study of biomolecules, including nucleic acids like DNA, and their roles in metabolism, signaling, and genetic information transfer. Given that DNA synthesis involves the biochemical reactions and pathways that create nucleotides and assemble them into DNA, it is more closely allied with biochemistry than replication, which is a broader biological process.