Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic replication differs a lot in terms of location, accuracy, time taken, enzymes used, etc. The major difference between these two is that in prokaryotes, DNA Replication occurs in the cytoplasm whereas in eukaryotes, DNA Replication occurs in the nucleus. Also, it is faster and more accurate in prokaryotes.

DNA replication is the process in which two identical copies of DNA are formed before cell division. DNA replication occurs in both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. DNA Replication in both of them has many similarities but there are many differences too. This article covers all the key distinctions between them in detail.

What is Prokaryotic Replication?

In prokaryotes, DNA Replication occurs at any time before cell division. DNA Replication occurs in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. For the opening of DNA and to prevent negative supercoiling, DNA gyrase enzyme is present. In prokaryotes, only one replicon, one ori, and one terminus are present. DNA replication is faster(2000 bp/s) and more accurate than eukaryotes. DNA Polymerase III plays a major role in prokaryotic replication. Okazaki fragments are longer(1000-2000 Nucleotides) as compared to eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cells, which are present in organisms such as bacteria, replicate in a less complex way. Usually, the nucleoid region contains a single circular DNA molecule that makes up their genetic material.

What is Eukaryotic Replication?

In Eukaryotes, DNA Replication occurs in the S-Phase of the cell cycle. DNA Replication occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. For the opening of DNA and to prevent negative supercoiling, Helicase and Topoisomerase enzymes are used respectively. In Eukaryotes, multiple replicons, ori sites, and terminus are present. DNA replication is slower(100 bp/s) and less accurate than prokaryotes. DNA Polymerases α,β,ε help in eukaryotic replication, and DNA Polymerase γ helps in mitochondrial replication. Okazaki fragments are shorter(100-200 Nucleotides) as compared to prokaryotes. Plants, mammals, fungi, and protists are examples of eukaryotic cells, which go through a more intricate process of replication. They have nuclei that are membrane-bound and contain several linear DNA molecules arranged into chromosomes.

Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication

The difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication are given below:

Features	Prokaryotic Replication	Eukaryotic Replication
Location	Cytoplasm	Nucleus
Timing	Anytime before cell division	S-Phase of the cell cycle
Rate	Faster (2000 bp/s)	Slower (100 bp/s)
Enzymes	DNA gyrase, DNA Polymerase III	Helicase, Topoisomerase, DNA Polymerases α, β, ε, γ
Replicons	One	Multiple
Ori Sites	One	Multiple
Terminus	One	Multiple
Okazaki Fragments	Longer (1000-2000 Nucleotides)	Shorter (100-200 Nucleotides)
Nucleus	Absence of a membrane-bound nucleus	Presence of a membrane-bound nucleus
Accuracy	More accurate	Less accurate geneticc Material
Initiation Point	Typically has a single origin of replication	Multiple origins of replication along chromosomes
Complexity	Simple and less complex	Complex and involves various stages of mitosis

DNA Replication

DNA replication refers to the process of making a copy of DNA so that it can be distributed in two daughter cells. Replications do not occur simultaneously in whole DNA. DNA is divided into some segments in which DNA replication occurs independently. The smallest unit of DNA in which independent events of replication occur is known as Replicon. Also, Replication does not initiate randomly at any point, there is some specific sequence of nitrogen bases where DNA gets opened, Hydrogen bonds between Nitrogen-bases break, and replication starts. This region is known as the Origin of Replication or Ori site in short.

The Ori site is present in the center of Replicon. After DNA gets opened, DNA replication is bi-directional which means replication occurs on both sides of the origin till the endpoints of Replicon. The endpoint of Replicon where replication stops is known as Terminus. One-half of the Replicon is known as the Replication fork. A Replicon consists of two replication forks. DNA Replication is semi-conservative because in new DNA, one strand is new and one strand is old. It is discontinuous because all DNA does not open at once, so every time DNA gets opened, a primer is to be synthesized on a lagging strand. Also, it occurs in a 5′-3′ direction.DNA replication occurs in both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.

DNA Replication

FAQs on Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication

What is DNA replication?

DNA replication is the process of creating two identical copies of DNA before cell division, ensuring each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.

What are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic replication?

Prokaryotic replication occurs in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic replication takes place in the nucleus. Prokaryotic replication is faster (2000 bp/s) and more accurate than eukaryotic replication (100 bp/s). Prokaryotes have one replicon, one ori site, and one terminus, whereas eukaryotes have multiple replicons, ori sites, and termini.

What is the origin of replication (Ori site)?

The origin of replication, or Ori site, is a specific sequence of nitrogen bases in the DNA where replication begins. It is located in the center of a replicon and it is the starting point for DNA replication.

How does DNA replication occur?

DNA replication is a bi-directional process that proceeds from the origin of replication in both directions to the endpoints of the replicon. It is semi-conservative, meaning each new DNA molecule contains one newly synthesized strand and one original strand.

What are Okazaki fragments?

Okazaki fragments are short DNA segments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication. In prokaryotes, Okazaki fragments are longer (1000-2000 nucleotides), and eukaryotes, have shorter fragments (100-200 nucleotides).