Is the lagging strand during DNA replication?
Is the lagging strand during DNA replication?
Answered
Yes, the lagging strand is a strand of DNA that is synthesized discontinuously during DNA replication. While the leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5′ to 3′ direction, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments. This is because the lagging strand is oriented in the opposite direction to the leading strand, meaning it cannot be synthesized in one continuous piece. Instead, DNA polymerase synthesizes short fragments, which are later joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase. This discontinuous synthesis allows the lagging strand to be replicated efficiently, even though it is a more complex process compared to the continuous replication of the leading strand.
BNO Team