How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the DNA length in base pairs (bp). This is the total length of the gene being replicated.
- Input the base substitution error rate, typically measured in ×10⁻⁶ (errors per base pair).
- Specify the proofreading efficiency of the DNA polymerase as a percentage. Higher values indicate better error correction.
- Enter the speed of the DNA polymerase in nucleotides per second.
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the replication time, total expected errors, and errors per 1000 bp.
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides three key outputs:
- Total Replication Time: The time required to replicate the entire DNA sequence.
- Total Expected Errors: The total number of errors expected during replication based on the input parameters.
- Errors per 1000 bp: The error rate normalized to a per 1000 base pair unit, making it easier to compare with standard mutation rates.
Principles of Gene Replication and Error Rates
DNA replication is a highly accurate process, but errors can occur due to:
- Incorrect base incorporation by DNA polymerase
- Slippage during replication of repetitive sequences
- Failure of the proofreading mechanism
The proofreading efficiency typically ranges from 99.9% to 99.999% in most organisms, significantly reducing the error rate. This calculator helps researchers estimate the expected mutation load in replicated DNA sequences.