An accurate repair pathway and meiotic mechanism exchanging DNA between similar sequences using RAD51.
After a double-strand break, ends are resected, RAD51 forms a filament that finds a matching sequence in the sister chromatid or homologue, and DNA is synthesised using it as a template. In meiosis, Spo11 makes deliberate breaks.
It is error-free when the sister chromatid is used.
An accurate repair pathway and meiotic mechanism exchanging DNA between similar sequences using RAD51.
Homologous Recombination is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include DNA Repair, DNA Replication, Non-Homologous End Joining.
BRCA2 loads RAD51, so BRCA2 mutations impair repair and PARP inhibitors exploit this.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to Homologous Recombination. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Homologous Recombination are DNA Repair, DNA Replication, Non-Homologous End Joining, CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Homologous Recombination. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Homologous Recombination: An accurate repair pathway and meiotic mechanism exchanging DNA between similar sequences using RAD51. DNA Repair: Mechanisms such as mismatch, excision and double-strand break repair that fix errors and damage in DNA. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with DNA Repair and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Mechanisms such as mismatch, excision and double-strand break repair that fix errors and damage in DNA.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe copying of DNA before cell division so each daughter cell receives a full set of genes.
🧫 Molecular BiologyAn error-prone repair pathway that directly ligates broken DNA ends.
🧫 Molecular BiologyA guide RNA directs the Cas9 nuclease to a matching DNA site to cut it, enabling precise editing.
🧫 Molecular Biology