Question

Because the two single-stranded DNA templates are anti-parallel and strand elongation is always 5' to 3', if synthesis on one template proceeds from, say, right to left, then synthesis on the other template must proceed in the opposite direction from left to right.

A) True
B) False

Answer 1

The synthesis of the leading strand occurs in the direction of the replication fork, while the synthesis of the lagging strand occurs in the opposite direction of the replication fork, in small fragments called Okazaki fragments.

Step-by-step explanation:

True

Both strands of DNA are elongated simultaneously during DNA replication. However, due to the specificity of DNA polymerase, only one strand can be continuously elongated, which is known as the leading strand. The synthesis of the leading strand occurs in the direction of the replication fork, from 5' to 3'.

The other strand, known as the lagging strand, is synthesized in small fragments called Okazaki fragments. The synthesis of Okazaki fragments occurs in the opposite direction of the replication fork, from 5' to 3', but away from the replication fork. This is because access to the DNA is always from the 5' end, resulting in the lagging strand being replicated in a discontinuous fashion.