Final answer:
Okazaki fragments are short DNA segments on the lagging strand, joined by DNA ligase, with RNA primers replaced by DNA polymerase I.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three terms associated with Okazaki fragments are:
- DNA ligase: This enzyme joins the Okazaki fragments together, sealing the nicks in the phosphate backbone of the DNA molecule to create a continuous strand.
- DNA polymerase I: This enzyme replaces the RNA primers that start the synthesis of Okazaki fragments with DNA nucleotides.
- Lagging strand: Refers to the strand of DNA where Okazaki fragments are synthesized in a discontinuous fashion, in the direction away from the replication fork.
Okazaki fragments are short stretches of DNA that are synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication. This process is essential for the replication of the lagging strand because DNA polymerase can only synthesize DNA in the 5' to 3' direction. Therefore, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments, each initiated by a short RNA primer.