Final answer:
The statement is true; DNA primase is required for the initiation of DNA replication on both the leading and the lagging strands, as it synthesizes RNA primers necessary for DNA polymerase.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: DNA primase is needed to initiate DNA replication on both the leading strand and the lagging strand. During DNA replication, a single origin of replication forms the replication fork where enzymes begin the process. Primase functions by synthesizing an RNA primer that is essential for DNA polymerase to initiate synthesis, as DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in one direction. The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork with the aid of a single RNA primer. Conversely, the lagging strand is synthesized away from the replication fork in short segments called Okazaki fragments, each requiring a new RNA primer synthesized by primase. Afterward, the RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides, and the fragments are joined together by DNA ligase.