What happens during the termination phase of DNA replication?

During the termination phase of DNA replication, the replication machinery dissociates from the DNA. This phase is essential for ensuring that the replication process concludes properly after completely duplicating the DNA. The dissociation of the replication machinery, which includes various proteins and enzymes involved in the replication process, signifies that the entire DNA molecule has been accurately replicated and is ready for subsequent cellular processes, such as cell division or repair.

In prior phases of DNA replication, such as initiation and elongation, the DNA unwinds, and new DNA strands are synthesized. Fragments like Okazaki fragments are also formed during replication but are joined during the process of elongation. Therefore, while those activities are critical to the overall process of DNA replication, the specific action that defines the termination phase is the detachment of the replication machinery from the completed DNA strands. This helps maintain the integrity of the newly formed double helix and prepares the cell for the next stages of the cell cycle.