What if only the leading strand is replicated in DNA?
What if only the leading strand is replicated in DNA?
Answered
If only the leading strand were replicated in DNA, the replication of the lagging strand would not occur, leading to incomplete replication of the genome. The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5′ to 3′ direction, but the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments, which are later joined by DNA ligase. The failure to replicate the lagging strand would result in a partial copy of the DNA and could prevent the cell from dividing properly. Without a complete replication of both strands, the genetic material would not be faithfully passed on to daughter cells, leading to genomic instability, potential loss of crucial genetic information, and possible cell death.
BNO Team