Question

When you are explaining dna replication in prokaryotes which of the following statements is true?

A) Prokaryotic DNA replication occurs in the cell nucleus.

B) Prokaryotes use multiple origins of replication on their circular DNA.

C) The leading strand is synthesized discontinuously in the 3' to 5' direction.

D) Prokaryotic DNA replication involves the formation of Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

Answer 1

DNA replication in prokaryotes involves the synthesis of a leading strand and a lagging strand with Okazaki fragments.

Step-by-step explanation:

Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence found on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up. Helicase opens up the DNA double helix, resulting in the formation of the replication fork. Single-strand binding proteins bind to the single-stranded DNA near the replication fork to keep the fork open. Primase synthesizes an RNA primer to initiate synthesis by DNA polymerase, which can add nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction.

One strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork; this is called the leading strand. The other strand is synthesized in a direction away from the replication fork, in short stretches of DNA known as Okazaki fragments. This strand is known as the lagging strand.

Once replication is completed, the RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides and the DNA is sealed with DNA ligase, which creates phosphodiester bonds between the 3'-OH of one end and the 5' phosphate of the other strand.