Antlers of Iron

The DNA Replication Complex, an assembly of proteins that synthesizes new DNA before cell division.  It consists of Helicase, Primase, Single-strand binding proteins, and DNA polymerase III.  Because DNA strands can only be copied in one direction, the complex must pull out loops of one strand and replicate it in fragments.  At this moment there are hundreds of trillions of these molecular machines in constant activity within your body.

be sure to check out Drew Berry’s full DNA animation here, it will rock your genetic socks off. He also gave a fine TED talk about how he animates the unseeable world of biology.

In humans, this process is happening at the staggering speed of 3,000 DNA bases per minute. And in bacteria? Would you believe 30,000 bases per minute?!? That’s 500 nucleotides per second!!!

YEAH  YOU DNA REPLICATION COMPLEX! YOU GO! YOU DO YOUR THANG! NOBODY CAN (or wants to) STOP YOU!