In DNA replication, on the _______, the exposed DNA 3' end gets farther and farther away from the fork as replication proceeds.
A) leading strand
B) lagging strand
C) Okazaki fragments
D) primer
E) sliding DNA clamp

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lagging strand is synthesized in short fragments called Okazaki fragments. The synthesis of each Okazaki fragment starts with a primer that is synthesized by the enzyme primase. Once the primer is in place, DNA polymerase III can add nucleotides to extend the Okazaki fragment. However, because DNA polymerase III can only synthesize in the 5 to 3 direction, it has to wait until there is an exposed DNA end to extend. On the lagging strand, the exposed DNA end gets farther and farther away from the fork as replication proceeds because the RNA primers are removed and replaced with DNA nucleotides by DNA polymerase I, leaving gaps in the strand that must be filled in by DNA ligase.

In DNA Replication, on the _______, the Exposed DNA 3