During replication, the strand synthesized in short fragments on the lagging strand is called

During replication, the strand synthesized in short fragments on the lagging strand is called

• A. Leading strand
• B. Lagging strand
• C. Template strand
• D. Coding strand

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that DNA on the lagging side is copied in pieces. During replication, one template strand is read in a way that allows continuous synthesis toward the fork—the leading strand. The other template runs in the opposite direction, so DNA polymerase can only synthesize in the 5' to 3' direction by starting new segments with RNA primers and extending them in chunks; these short pieces are called Okazaki fragments. The entire strand that is formed in these pieces is referred to as the lagging strand. While the individual fragments have their own name (Okazaki fragments), the option that best describes the strand built in short fragments on the lagging side is the lagging strand.

The main idea here is that DNA on the lagging side is copied in pieces. During replication, one template strand is read in a way that allows continuous synthesis toward the fork—the leading strand. The other template runs in the opposite direction, so DNA polymerase can only synthesize in the 5' to 3' direction by starting new segments with RNA primers and extending them in chunks; these short pieces are called Okazaki fragments. The entire strand that is formed in these pieces is referred to as the lagging strand. While the individual fragments have their own name (Okazaki fragments), the option that best describes the strand built in short fragments on the lagging side is the lagging strand.