Page 78 - The Miracle of Protein

76 THE MIRACLE OF PROTEIN

DNA replication

scious molecules made up of specific quantities of atoms. Every
one of these molecules discharges its own functions in line with

superior knowledge and a sense of responsibility.
After these special precautions are taken, a few more obsta-
cles still exist to be overcome. For one thing, information re-
garding the amino acid sequence of the requested protein may
be located in any region of the long DNA molecule. How will the
polymerase enzyme copy codes in different areas of the amino

acid string? It cannot cut the DNA or jump over the unwanted
sections. If it continues along the same path, it will end up copy-
ing unwanted data and the desired protein will not form.
To resolve this difficulty, an extraordinarily conscious ap-
pearing phenomenon now occurs. As if the DNA were aware

that it had to assist the copying process, it bends to make sure
that the region containing the unwanted information is now out
of the way. As a result, codes that need to be read consecutively,
but previously had other codes in between, are joined together.
The codes to be copied thus form a single line, so that the poly-
merase enzyme can easily copy the order for the protein to be
produced.