Why is DNA replication in bacteria so much faster than in humans?
Why is DNA replication in bacteria so much faster than in humans?
Last Updated on Saturday, 30 July 2011 07:43 Written by Administrator Saturday, 30 July 2011 07:43
Question by ritifo: Why is DNA replication in bacteria so much faster than in humans?
In bacteria, the rate of elongation during DNA replication in bacteria is about 500 nucleotides per second, while in humans, the rate of elongation is only about 50 nucleotides per second. That’s a tenth of the bacteria’s speed. Why is that? Does it have to do with polymerases and such?
Best answer:
Answer by Bone Rongeurs
Eukaryotes have specific sites at which replication is
originated. However, because eukaryotic cells contain much
more DNA than bacteria (humans have approximately 1500
times as much DNA as E.coli), there must be multiple origins
of replication on each chromosome in order to replicate all of
the DNA in a timely fashion.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Human DNA is in very condensed form in the chromatins whereas bacteria just has one DNA that is circular and not that condensed. THats why there is much more complexity in DNA of eukaryotes (human) they have to use so many factors on the way.. and the speed actaully slows down..and its nuthing to do with polymerase because bacteria doesnt have more polymerase or anything.