Question

Students sometimes get the impression that DNA must be replicated prior to protein synthesis. Explains why DNA is only replicated prior to mitosis and meiosis and what the results would be is DNA was replicated each time a new protein needed to be made.

Answer 1

Answer:

For division and distribution of equal amount of genetic material to the daughter cells

Explanation:

It is during the synthesis phase (OR S-phase) of the cell division, where

DNA replication  occurs before the mitosis or meiosis.  

This is so because each of these two DNA strand serve as the base template for the formation of new complimentary strand. After this process, the DNA will have identical sequences which can be divided and distributed to the daughter cells in equal numbers and amount.  

Prior to cell division, a copy of chromosome is created and hence distributed in equal amount.  

Answer 2

Answer:

Replication only happens before mitosis and meiosis because in this process the whole DNA is turned into two copies of it, in order for the cell to duplicate. Otherwise, the transcription, which is the first step for protein synthesis, happens all the time in the cell and only works in specific genes that codify for specific proteins. If the DNA was replicated every time a protein is needed, the cell would have millions of DNA copies for no purpose at all, meaning a big waste of energy and space.