DNA replication occurs in different locations depending on the type of cell:

• In eukaryotic cells (such as animal and plant cells), DNA replication occurs in the nucleus , where the cell's DNA is stored and protected

• In prokaryotic cells (such as bacteria), which lack a nucleus, DNA replication takes place in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm, where the DNA is located

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 the DNA