Final answer:
In prokaryotic DNA replication, a replication bubble forms with a replication fork at each end expanding from the origin of replication. The replication proceeds bidirectionally, creating two identical DNA molecules, involving continuous synthesis on the leading strand and fragmentary synthesis on the lagging strand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the visualization of DNA replication in prokaryotes, more specifically, E. coli. During replication, a structure called the replication bubble forms. This bubble illustrates the area where the DNA strand is unwound to allow the replication machinery to synthesize new DNA strands. At each end of the replication bubble, there is a Y-shaped structure known as a replication fork.
The process begins at a specific location on the DNA molecule called the origin of replication. From this point, the DNA is unwound, and the replication proceeds bidirectionally, forming two replication forks that move away from the origin. As replication continues, these forks expand the bubble by unwinding additional sections of the DNA. In prokaryotes, the DNA is circular, and replication proceeds around the circle until it reaches completion, forming two identical circular DNA molecules.
An illustration of the replication bubble would include the origin of replication at the center, with two replication forks moving away from this point. Each fork would consist of two strands, one leading and one lagging, where the leading strand is synthesized continuously and the lagging strand is synthesized in fragments known as Okazaki fragments.