Replication fork

A replication fork is a structure that forms during cell division when the DNA molecule is copied. Think of DNA as a zipper; when the cell prepares to divide, the zipper unzips at a specific point, creating two single strands. The replication fork is the Y-shaped area where this unzipping occurs. Enzymes then read each single strand and assemble new complementary strands, resulting in two identical copies of the original DNA. This process ensures that each new cell receives an exact DNA copy, vital for proper cell function and inheritance.