AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -DNA is always synthesized in the 5’-to-3’ direction, meaning that nucleotides are added only to the 3’ end of the growing strand. As shown in Figure 2, the 5’-phosphate group of the new nucleotide binds to the 3’-OH group of the last nucleotide of the growing strand.

Detailed explanation-2: -New DNA is made by enzymes called DNA polymerases, which require a template and a primer (starter) and synthesize DNA in the 5’ to 3’ direction. During DNA replication, one new strand (the leading strand) is made as a continuous piece.

Detailed explanation-3: -Each end of DNA molecule has a number. One end is referred to as 5’ (five prime) and the other end is referred to as 3’ (three prime). The 5’ and 3’ designations refer to the number of carbon atom in a deoxyribose sugar molecule to which a phosphate group bonds.

Detailed explanation-4: -DNA replication goes in the 5’ to 3’ direction because DNA polymerase acts on the 3’-OH of the existing strand for adding free nucleotides.