Models
of
Replication - The bacterial chromosome consists of a double stranded DNA ring attached to the plasma membrane. Usually there is a single replication fork during replication. This starts at a point called the origin and moves around the chromosome . During rapid growth there may be one or two additional forks formed at the origin before the first one completes its replication cycle.
Several models have been proposed to explain the mechanism of replication in circular chromosomes. These include the Cairns model, the Yoshikawa model and the rolling circle model. Other models explain replication in linear chromosomes.
