DNA Replication Error Checks

DNA replication includes built-in error checks that protect the genome during cell division. Even though this process copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity, a wrong base or a longer stretch of wrong bases can still be added to the daughter strands. If these mistakes are not corrected, cells may build up mutations ...

Every time a human cell divides, the DNA polymerase enzymes copy over 3 billion base pairs with high fidelity, to be passed on to the daughter cells.

However, due to the sheer volume of information being duplicated, the DNA polymerase sometimes makes errors while copying. For example, an incorrect base may be added to the newly synthesize...