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Multiple Choice
How are Okazaki fragments synthesized during DNA replication?
A
They are synthesized discontinuously on the lagging strand.
B
They are synthesized continuously on the leading strand.
C
They are synthesized by RNA polymerase on the lagging strand.
D
They are synthesized by DNA polymerase in the 5' to 3' direction on the leading strand.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that DNA replication involves the synthesis of new DNA strands complementary to the original template strands. This process occurs in the 5' to 3' direction.
Recognize that the DNA double helix is antiparallel, meaning one strand runs 5' to 3' and the other runs 3' to 5'. This creates a leading strand and a lagging strand during replication.
On the leading strand, DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA continuously in the 5' to 3' direction as the replication fork opens.
On the lagging strand, DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA discontinuously in short segments called Okazaki fragments, also in the 5' to 3' direction, because the overall direction of replication is opposite to the opening of the fork.
These Okazaki fragments are later joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase to form a continuous strand.