Final answer:
In a process called bidirectional replication, two replication forks formed at the origin proceed outward in both directions, leading to the simultaneous unwinding and duplication of DNA until they meet. This forms a new DNA molecule consisting of one original and one newly synthesized strand.
Step-by-step explanation:
If there are 2 replication forks, one at each end of the replication bubble, the forks proceed outward in both directions in a process called bidirectional replication, simultaneously unwinding and replicating the DNA until they eventually meet. This process is essential for the copying of DNA prior to cell division.
During Theta replication, enzymes such as helicase and topoisomerase play crucial roles. Helicase unwinds the double helix and single-strand binding proteins prevent the strands from reannealing. Topoisomerase prevents supercoiling ahead of the replication fork. The enzyme primase adds RNA primers, which are necessary for DNA polymerase III to start adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction, forming the new DNA strands. The continuous strand is known as the leading strand, while the strand that is synthesized in small fragments called Okazaki fragments is known as the lagging strand.