DNA helicase unwinds the DNA double strand / causing hydrogen bonds between complimentary base pairs to break / both single strands used as templates / DNA replication is semi conservative and semi discontinuous / free complimentary nucleotides pair with bases on exposed single strands / via hydrogen bonds / DNA polymerase catalyses / formation of new phosphodiester bonds between adjacent bases / the newly synthesized DNA strand is elongated nucleotide by nucleotide until replication is complete / Bonus - leading strand (3' to 5') synthesized continuously / lagging strand (5' to 3') synthesized discontinuously in Okazaki fragments / DNA is proofread and repaired at G2 phase