DNA replication happens in different locations depending on the type of cell:
- In eukaryotic cells (such as human, plant, and animal cells), DNA replication occurs in the nucleus , where the cell's DNA is stored
- In prokaryotic cells (which lack a nucleus), DNA replication takes place in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm, where the DNA is located
- Additionally, in human cells, DNA replication also occurs in the mitochondrial matrix , since mitochondria have their own DNA
This process happens during the S phase of the cell cycle, prior to cell division, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of DNA
