<P> In a cell , DNA replication begins at specific locations , or origins of replication , in the genome . Unwinding of DNA at the origin and synthesis of new strands , accommodated by an enzyme known as ligase , results in replication forks growing bi-directionally from the origin . A number of proteins are associated with the replication fork to help in the initiation and continuation of DNA synthesis . Most prominently , DNA polymerase synthesizes the new strands by adding nucleotides that complement each ( template ) strand . DNA replication occurs during the S - stage of interphase . </P>
where does the synthesis of new dna from existing dna occurs
origins of replication , in the genome