What is the role of DNA ligase in the elongation of the lagging strand during DNA replication?
A)It synthesizes RNA nucleotides to make a primer.
B)It catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres.
C)It joins Okazaki fragments together.
D)It unwinds the parental double helix.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA ligase plays a critical role in the elongation of the lagging strand during DNA replication by joining together the Okazaki fragments that are synthesized in short stretches. It forms a phosphodiester bond between the 3' end of one DNA fragment and the 5' end of the adjacent fragment, sealing any nicks that remain in the sugar-phosphate backbone of the newly synthesized DNA strand.

What Is the Role of DNA Ligase in the Elongation