Which phase of DNA replication is characterized by the formation of the replisome?

The formation of the replisome occurs during the initiation phase of DNA replication. The replisome is a complex of proteins and enzymes that orchestrates the process of DNA replication, ensuring that the DNA strands are accurately duplicated. During initiation, the DNA double helix is unwound at specific origins of replication, allowing the necessary enzymes, such as DNA helicase and primase, to come together to form the replisome. This setup is crucial because it prepares the replication machinery to start synthesizing new DNA strands.

Understanding the context of DNA replication phases can clarify why this phase is critical. Elongation involves the actual synthesis of the new DNA strands once the replisome is fully assembled, while termination refers to the process of finishing replication and resolving the newly synthesized DNA strands. Replication fork establishment is more a part of the initiation process where the unwinding of DNA occurs but does not encompass the complete assembly and functional readiness of the replisome, which is central to the initiation phase.