Multiple Choice
Why is DNA synthesis of the lagging strand considered discontinuous?
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14. DNA Synthesis
Leading & Lagging DNA Strands
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Which of the following is true about the elongation of the lagging strand during DNA replication?
A
It is synthesized discontinuously in short segments called Okazaki fragments.
B
It requires a single RNA primer for initiation.
C
It is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction.
D
It is synthesized in the 3' to 5' direction.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that DNA replication involves the synthesis of new DNA strands from a template strand. The two strands are synthesized differently: the leading strand and the lagging strand.
The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction, following the replication fork as it opens.
The lagging strand, however, is synthesized discontinuously. This is because DNA polymerase can only synthesize DNA in the 5' to 3' direction, but the lagging strand template is oriented in the opposite direction.
To accommodate this, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments. Each fragment requires a separate RNA primer to initiate synthesis.
These Okazaki fragments are later joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase to form a continuous strand.
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