AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Okazaki fragments are short sequences of DNA nucleotides (approximately 150 to 200 base pairs long in eukaryotes) which are synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by the enzyme DNA ligase to create the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Detailed explanation-2: -There is substantial biochemical evidence indicating that DNA ligase I, which is one of four DNA ligases in mammalian cells (1, 2), is the enzyme responsible for joining Okazaki fragments.

Detailed explanation-3: -The last deoxyribonucleotide is joined by a different enzyme, DNA ligase, which uses one ATP to join the Okazaki fragment into the growing lagging strand.

Detailed explanation-4: -The enzyme DNA ligase joins these fragments to produce a single, continuous strand of DNA. It does so by creating bonds called phosphodiester bonds between the sugar and phosphate groups of nucleotides on adjacent fragments.