Replicon (genetics)

A replicon is a DNA genetics or RNA portion to be replicated on the basis of an origin of replication in one piece. Since in eukaryotes, transcription because of parallel DNA repair slower than in prokaryotes, they need much more origins of replication. Consequently, there is a plurality of replicons in which replication proceeds approximately simultaneously.

In prokaryotes, in most cases each plasmid replicon. Since there is only one origin of replication, at the start of the complete plasmid replication is replicated. Exceptions to this rule there are some bacteria and archaea.

• DNA replication