How does bacterial DNA replication differ from eukaryotic DNA replication?

• A. Bacterial DNA replication involves a single origin of replication, while eukaryotic DNA replication involves multiple origins of replication.
• B. Bacterial DNA replication uses RNA primers, while eukaryotic DNA replication does not use RNA primers.
• C. Bacterial DNA replication occurs in the nucleus, while eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in the cytoplasm.
• D. Bacterial DNA replication is bidirectional, while eukaryotic DNA replication is unidirectional.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that DNA replication is the process by which a cell duplicates its DNA, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the parent cell's genetic material.
2. Recognize that bacterial DNA replication typically occurs in prokaryotic cells, which have a single, circular chromosome. Eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in eukaryotic cells, which have multiple, linear chromosomes.
3. Identify that bacterial DNA replication begins at a single origin of replication on the circular chromosome, whereas eukaryotic DNA replication starts at multiple origins of replication on each linear chromosome to efficiently replicate the larger amount of DNA.
4. Note that both bacterial and eukaryotic DNA replication use RNA primers to initiate the synthesis of new DNA strands. This is a common feature in both types of cells.
5. Clarify that bacterial DNA replication is bidirectional, meaning it proceeds in two directions from the origin of replication, while eukaryotic DNA replication is also bidirectional, not unidirectional as stated in the problem. Additionally, bacterial DNA replication occurs in the cytoplasm, and eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in the nucleus, not the other way around.