Final answer:
Autonomously replicating sequences (ARS) are specific regions on eukaryotic chromosomes that function as the starting point for DNA replication, similar to the origin of replication in prokaryotes like E. coli.
Correct option i a) Specific regions on chromosomes
Step-by-step explanation:
Autonomously replicating sequences (ARS) are specific regions on chromosomes of yeast, a eukaryotic organism. These sequences serve a vital role as the sites where DNA replication initiates, much like the origin of replication in E. coli, which is a prokaryotic organism. ARSs are essential for the replication process because they allow for the DNA to be duplicated so that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic instructions.
In yeast, the replication process is relatively slow compared to prokaryotes, occurring at a rate of about 100 nucleotides per second. Eukaryotes like yeast can have multiple ARSs along their chromosomes to ensure replication occurs efficiently across the large amount of genetic material they contain. In contrast, prokaryotes typically have a single origin of replication due to their smaller, typically circular, genomes.