AP BIOLOGY

THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF INHERITANCE

DNA REPLICATION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What is the role of DNA ligase in the elongation of the lagging strand during DNA replication?
A
It catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres.
B
It synthesizes RNA nucleotides to make a primer.
C
It unwinds the parental double helix.
D
It joins Okazaki fragments together.
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The latter strand comprises of several fragments known as the Okazaki fragment which needs to be sealed. These Okazaki fragments are sealed with the help of DNA ligase enzyme which ensures the formation of the chemical bond accompanied by hydrolysis.

Detailed explanation-2: -On the lagging strand, DNA synthesis restarts many times as the helix unwinds, resulting in many short fragments called “Okazaki fragments.” DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments together into a single DNA molecule.

Detailed explanation-3: -DNA ligases play an essential role in maintaining genomic integrity by joining breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of DNA that occur during replication and recombination, and as a consequence of DNA damage and its repair.

Detailed explanation-4: -DNA ligases are best known for their role in joining adjacent Okazaki fragments at the lagging strand of the replication fork; however, they are essentially involved in any process that requires sealing of phosphodiester bonds from the DNA backbone.

Detailed explanation-5: -Lagging strand synthesis begins when helicase opens up the parent molecule of DNA and creates the replication fork. Two molecules of helicase open the DNA in both directions, allowing DNA replication to occur both ways. This creates two leading strands and two lagging strands per replication fork.

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