DNA synthesis proceeds from ____.
A)the beginning of the parent strand
B)wherever DNA ligase is first present
C)the 5' to the 3' end of the DNA strand
D)the 3' to the 5' end of the DNA strand
E)both the 5' and 3' ends of the DNA strand

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA synthesis proceeds from the 5' to the 3' end of the DNA strand. This is because DNA polymerase can only add new nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing strand. Therefore, the synthesis proceeds in the direction from the 5' to the 3' end, corresponding to the direction from the phosphate group (5') to the hydroxyl group (3') of the growing strand.

DNA Synthesis Proceeds from ____