Final answer:
DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands behind the replication fork, while DNA ligase joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand. Topoisomerase relieves supercoiling tension, and single-strand binding proteins stabilize the unwound DNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Follow closely behind the replication fork, new DNA packaging involves several key enzymes and proteins. The enzyme DNA polymerase works to add new nucleotides to the growing DNA strand, synthesizing DNA continuously on the leading strand and in short stretches on the lagging strand. The short stretches, known as Okazaki fragments, are eventually joined to form a continuous strand. The enzyme DNA ligase plays a crucial role in this process by sealing the gaps between Okazaki fragments, creating a phosphodiester bond that solidifies the continuity of the new DNA strand.
As replication proceeds, topoisomerase mitigates the supercoiling tension ahead of the replication fork by causing temporary nicks that are later resealed. Meanwhile, single-strand binding proteins stabilize the single-stranded DNA to prevent it from re-forming into a double helix. Newly synthesized DNA is checked and corrected for fidelity, ensuring the final product is a precise duplication of the original DNA strand.